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He snatched the shirt, looking mortified, and tugged it over his head. “Yeah.”

Pogo shoved his face into Joey’s neck again, clearly enjoying having a playmate down at his level. Joey pet him, looking into Pogo’s fuzzy face, probably mostly out of a desire not to look anyone else in the eye. “I should probably head out. Sorry, Dakota.”

“Don’t be silly,” Dakota said. “I’m the one who came home early. I just figured Kit would go to your place like usual.”

“I had a Zoom meeting, so I invited him over,” I said.

“Sorry,” Dakota said with a sigh. “I guess you were right earlier this week.”

“Me? Right about something? Impossible!”

She laughed, but that too sounded exhausted. “I’ve been pushing too hard. I just…I want to do things.” Frustration leaked into her tone.

Felipe put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. “It’s starting to rain anyway. This time of year, it’s likely to get icy. So, it’s just as well I got you home now.”

Joey tensed up. “Rain?”

He got to his feet and went to peer out the door. There was a steady pattering of raindrops now that I knew to listen for it.

He turned, his face tight. “I should probably head out before it gets any worse.”

I raised an eyebrow. Any worse? It was just a little rain. Felipe had mentioned it might freeze, but he was mostly saying that to make my sister feel less crappy about calling it a night early.

“You don’t have to leave.” I glanced at Dakota. “Unless you want us to go?”

“No! I just need to put up my feet,” she said. “I was thinking Felipe and I could watch a movie here. We can go into my bedroom, though.”

I glanced over at Felipe, eyes narrowed.

“Just to watch the movie,” Felipe said quickly.

Dakota gave an exasperated sigh. “He’s not my father. We can do whatever we want in my bedroom.”

“Dakota…”

“Not a word, Kit, or I’ll be forced to mention that scene on the couch just now.”

I closed my mouth.

Joey shifted uncomfortably. “Seriously, I think I should go.”

I got off the sofa and went to retrieve my boyfr—Joey from the doorway. “Just wait a minute. For me? I want to say a proper goodbye.”

He hesitated, then nodded.

Dakota started toward her bedroom, then paused. “Crap. Kit, will you help Felipe make some popcorn and drinks while I get settled?”

I read between the lines. My sister didn’t want Felipe watching her transfer out of her chair into bed. Possibly, she wanted to dress down too.

“Sure.” I glanced at Joey. “Be right back.”

He nodded reluctantly and took a seat on the couch. I led Felipe into the kitchen and opened a cabinet. Pogo trailed behind us, hoping for a treat.

“It’s microwave popcorn. Easy enough. There are bottles of water in the fridge. It’s late, so I wouldn’t expect Dakota to eat much of this. The salt intake wouldn’t be great for her overnight.”

“Oh.”

I opened the refrigerator and handed him a small container of blueberries. “This would be better.”