Chapter 36

SEBASTIAN

What the hell is going on here? The plan was for me to get some time to myself to properly feel. I don’t expect to see anyone at the restaurant, much less her. Today is supposed to be her day off. If I knew she was at work, I might have found a way out of my busy schedule to show up.

I had quite a day today. The lake was quiet that morning—too quiet. Even the water seemed to sense that something was off. The usual chatter of birds was there, sure, but the air had that strange, hushed quality, like nature itself was holding its breath.

Diego sat on the cooler beside me, already halfway through his second energy drink. Kenna, as usual, was sprawled out on the picnic blanket behind us, legs crossed, face tilted toward the sun like she was recharging her soul.

“You ever notice it’s too peaceful when someone specific’s not around?” She called lazily, sunglasses slipping down her nose.

I didn’t turn. “You gonna say it, or are you just fishing for su