We get home around seven, the sky outside a deepening blue that bleeds into violet at the edges, stars only just starting to blink awake. The moment Noah unlocks the front door and pushes it open, a familiar scrabble of claws against hardwood fills the hallway.
Mellow.
A blur of golden fur barrels toward us like a one-dog hurricane, barking excitedly. Her tail wags so hard her entire back half wiggles with it.
"Hey—Mellow!" Noah barely has time to brace himself before she launches upward.
He catches her midair, stumbling a bit as he laughs. "You're gonna knock me out one day when you're getting bigger."
Mellow licks his face with gusto, paws pressing against his chest, her whole body vibrating with joy. Then, as if realizing there's someone else to attack with affection, she wriggles free and bolts toward me.
"Whoa—hey!" I stumble back a step as she jumps on me too, tongue already darting toward my cheek. I can't stop laughing.
