Peter Underhill was smitten by Ebony Mills the moment she joined his street hockey team--a coal-eyed, tomboy goddess, as dark and dazzling as he was pale and awkward. That she returned his affection was a boys dream come true. But despite a bond that grew into their teens, Peters intolerant father and Ebonys meddling family finally forced them apart. That was twenty years ago--and Peter has been trying to find his way back to his first and true love ever since. . . When she was a kid, Ebony feared no one, not even Peters violent, bigoted father. Back then, Ebony said shed love Peter forever, and she meant it. It didnt matter that they couldnt share milestones like the high school prom together--what they had was the real thing, and nobody could take it away. . . or could they? Even now, Ebony doesnt quite understand how she and Peter disappeared from each others lives. Has the hatred that surrounded them finally won? Ebony doesnt want to believe that, but she knows one thing: if she ever has the chance to reunite with Peter, shell never let him go. Because you dont throw away something that only comes along once in a lifetime. You dont mess with original love. . . J. J. Murray was born in Abington, Pennsylvania, and now lives in Roanoke in southwest Virginia. When he isnt teaching high school English, chasing his two sons, romancing his wife, or writing, he dreams of bowling his weight every Wednesday night. . . and he is rapidly losing weight to make that dream a reality.