The morning air was crisp—sharp enough to bite, clean enough to wake the bones.
Riley had already stretched, earbuds in hand, posture straight and precise like he was preparing for inspection rather than a jog. The world was still half-asleep; the sky hovered between night and dawn, clouds bruised faintly with gray.
Then—
"Wait!"
He paused mid-step.
Riley turned slowly, brows knitting just a fraction as Stephanie jogged up behind him, slightly breathless and very clearly not dressed like someone who jogged every morning out of habit.
Her hair was tied up in a rushed ponytail, a few strands already escaping. Her sneakers were… serviceable. Not bad. Just painfully ordinary.
She stopped a few feet away, hands on her knees, catching her breath.
Riley stared.
"…You're joining?" he asked flatly.
Stephanie straightened, clearly still irritated but too stubborn to back down.
"Yes. I am. Have you forgotten about yesterday?"
A beat.
