A tinge of pink flushed across Xander’s cheeks. He cleared his throat and grunted. “Good. That’s what mates do.”
“MATES?”
I nearly jumped out of my skin when Red cried out. I whipped towards him. He’d slunk closer without us noticing, that sneaky fox.
“Oh, so first you make me cry, and now you’re eavesdropping on me?” I said.
Red shifted so we could talk face-to-face but he ducked his head like a submissive pup. “Aw, man, I really didn’t mean to make you cry, Sage. You know that, right? I’m sorry.”
Red’s heart was always in the right place, even if he accidentally slipped up. I couldn’t stay mad at him.
I wiped the last tear out of my eye and nodded. “Yeah. I know. Sorry I got mad.”
“Tch, don’t be sorry about that. You were right.” He opened his arms. “C’mere. You, too, big guy.”
I gasped. My bad mood had shrivelled up thanks to Xander, but now I forgot it completely.
“Group hug!” I yelled.
I threw an arm around Red, and both of us looked expectantly to Xander, who stared at us in confusion.
“Excuse me?” he said, dumbfounded.
“Oh, right, you’re new around here,” Red said sardonically. “Your, uh…matehas a fondness for group hugs. Can’t be a member of the pack without doing ‘em.”
“Group hugs,” Xander repeated like he was learning a new word. “Is this a thing that canines do?”
“I don’t think it’s a canine thing,” Red replied with a lopsided grin. “Just a Sage thing.”
“C’mon, Xander!” I urged, waving my empty arm at him. “Don’t leave us hanging!”
Xander inched closer like an animal warily approaching a trap. When he was close enough, I put my arm around him and Red did the same. Xander let out a muffledmrrpsound, like a startled cat. The sound was adorable and made me laugh.
“Yay! Xander’s first ever group hug!” I cried.
“We’re going to do more of these?” Xander mumbled to Red.
Red cackled. “Buddy, doyouhave a lot to learn.”
