Chapter 27

Megan’s POV

"Okay just an hour!" I slide the phone back in my pocket.

Inhaling the cool morning air, it felt refreshing after the frustration I had been feeling.

And with every step I take, I could feel the tension leaving my muscles.

I turned the corner onto the riverside trail, enjoying the peace and quiet of the almost empty path so early.

Up ahead, I saw a familiar figure stretching on one of the creaky benches overlooking the water.

Josh looked up as I got closer, grinning from under his worn baseball cap.

"Well, well, if it isn't the famous Megan Williams herself!" he said teasingly as he stood up straight. "What brings you out here?"

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly, grateful for his irreverent ability to instantly defuse any lingering tension.

Josh had been my closest friend for as long as I could remember - the one steady, stabilizing force who never wavered or faltered, no matter how chaotic the currents