Monday mornings had quickly developed a routine neither Riley nor Stephanie had anticipated.
What had begun as Riley's solitary morning jog had gradually become something shared.
Something expected.
Something important.
The sun had barely risen above the city skyline when the two of them moved along the familiar jogging path.
Their breaths formed a steady rhythm.
Footsteps echoed softly against the pavement.
And unlike their first few attempts together—
Stephanie wasn't struggling to keep up.
At least, not as much.
Riley noticed it immediately.
As he noticed most things.
The slight improvement in her breathing.
The increased consistency in her pace.
The fact that she no longer needed frequent pauses.
Her posture had improved too.
Small adjustments.
Tiny details.
But undeniable.
Stephanie Louis Rogers was getting better.
Several minutes later, they slowed to a comfortable pace.
Stephanie wiped away a small amount of sweat before exhaling.
"...Okay."
