Shit.
“Sorry!” I call out, already reaching for Neptune’s leash. “Neppy, come!”
The man doesn’t flinch. He’s laughing. And beside him, padding along in perfect sync, is a dog that looksexactlylike Neptune.
Same coat. Same floppy ears. Same easy, confident gait. Like they were separated at birth.
The second the two dogs lock eyes, I freeze.
There’s no barking or growling. They’re still. Their tails stiff, legs planted, ears high.
Oh no, I think,they’re gonna fight.
“Neptune!” I say sharply, already stepping forward to intercept.
And then—
Chaos.
Glorious, tail-wagging, sand-flinging chaos.
They leap into motion, not to fight—but to play. Racing in wide circles, leaping over driftwood, crashing into the surf with wild, barky joy. As if they’ve been waiting for this reunion their whole lives.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
I jog toward them, wanting to get closer before they turn into an unstoppable blur, when I catch a glimpse of the man.
Wearing blue sweats and a faded t-shirt clinging to his chest from the sea mist. A familiar profile, strong jaw, steady gaze.
It’s him.
Aiden.
The guy who threw his jacket over me like some brooding storybook hero during the seal rescue.
He hasn’t seen me yet. His attention is still on the dogs, a soft grin curving his lips as he watches them play.
But when I get close enough, he finally looks up.
And yeah, he definitely sees me now.
His eyes do a slow double-take, dragging over me, memorizing every detail. From the damp flyaways escaping my hoodie to my sandy sneakers.
And the way he looks at me, not just a glance, but a look that settles low in my stomach and refuses to leave, his eyes saying something his mouth hasn’t figured out how to say yet.
I feel exposed, but not in a bad way. In a way that makes me stand a little straighter and makes my pulse hum.
I stop a few feet away, my heart tapping a rhythm that has nothing to do with the cold.
“Hey.”
His head tilts slightly, his grin softening into something unreadable. “May… hi.”
My cheeks betray me immediately. I feel the warmth rising, and judging by the flicker in his eyes, he definitely notices.
I clear my throat and gesture toward the dogs still circling each other in a blur of joy. “They seem to like each other.”
He glances their way, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah. Guess they’re already best friends.”
