CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN - A Festival Filled With Secrets

Unable to sleep, she reached for her phone and called Melissa. "Nia? Is everything okay?" Melissa's voice was thick with sleep. "I'm sorry, did I wake you? I just... I needed to talk to someone." There was a rustling sound, and when Melissa spoke again, she sounded more alert. "Don't worry about it. What's going on?" Nia took a deep breath and poured out everything – her growing friendship with Ryan, Will's obvious interest, and her own conflicted feelings. "Oh, honey," Melissa said when Nia had finished. "It sounds like you've got yourself in quite the pickle." "I know," Nia groaned. "What should I do, Melissa? I enjoy spending time with both of them, but for different reasons. And I'm not even sure I'm ready for anything... more." Melissa was quiet for a moment, and Nia could almost picture her friend's thoughtful expression. "Listen, Nia. You've been through a lot, and it's okay to take things slow. There's no rule that says you have to choose between them right now, or ever.