The puppy looks at me and lets out a tiny, uncertain bark.
My chest goes tight.
“What… is that?” I manage.
“It’s a puppy,” she says, like I’m the one who’s confused.
“I can see it’s a puppy.”
She shifts the little creature closer to me. “He’s yours.”
I stare at her.
Then at the puppy.
Then back at her.
“I know you don’t want children,” she says carefully, watching my face. “But…”
Her voice softens.
“I don’t want you to have no one to love.”
She swallows.
“And I thought maybe, once I’ve moved out and we’re divorced… it might help to have someone here who’s always happy to see you.”
The puppy yips again, like it agrees.
My vision blurs for a second and I blink hard.
My eyes sting.
I clear my throat and step closer.
“Talia,” I say, and my voice catches like I wasn’t expecting it to.
She bites her lip, suddenly nervous again. “Do you hate it?”
I let out a breath that sounds dangerously like a laugh.
“No,” I say. “I don’t hate it.”
The puppy reaches a paw toward me, clumsy.
I hold out my hand.
It sniffs my fingers, then licks them like it’s already decided I’m safe.
Something inside my chest cracks open.
“Hi,” I murmur stupidly.
Talia smiles, relieved.
“He likes you,” she whispers.
I glance at her, then back at the puppy.
