Candy Apples

Milosz Jagoda never intended to move back to his home town, but there's no other option when his grandfather falls ill. Milosz will make the most of their limited time left together, even if it means taking an art teacher job in the same town he escaped almost a decade ago.

The job isn't so bad, except for the other staff. He hears the whispers, notices the stares. It's easy to steer clear and mind his own business.

If only the charming theater teacher would do the same. Zheng Tao is kind, beautiful, and victim to the same gossip. Maybe a sense of camaraderie is what compels them to seek Milosz out.

Whatever the reasoning, Milosz is determined to be alone. He doesn't intend for anything to tie him here when time is up.

Candy Apples is a 22k novella about learning to let yourself experience joy even in a time of grief.