When I sat down to write Megan/Medusa’s story, I knew two things. I wanted Zach to struggle with alcoholism and Megan to struggle with bitterness. Here’s a guy who’s been after her since their teens, and she’s kept turning him down. He gets more depressed about it, dives deeper into his alcoholism, and widens the chasm between them even more.

Megan’s spent so much time resenting him and pushing him away that she doesn’t realize she’d be miserable without him.

In essence, they had a relationship prior to the beginning of the story, because they spent time together every single day. If their love was like a valley, they both stood opposing, their hands barely touching, but neither willing to leave their side so they could join in the middle. So true of a lot of early relationships, I think.