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Noah: Okay, but he’s currently standing outside your door waiting. I can’t get him to go downstairs.

Claire: Fine, I’ll be outside in 5 minutes. I need to find acceptable walking shoes.

Noah: I’ll get you a coffee. You know, for your troubles. Since Biscuit is making you come.

She smiled. Five minutes later, she was outside of her apartment. Biscuit was in fact waiting at her door. So was Noah, with an iced latte. She took it from him. “Thanks.”

“Biscuit, you’ve got to stop making me do this.” She reached down to pet him.

Maybe Sunday walks had become a thing too.

But a girl needed exercise.

So did a boy.

And a dog.

So they all did it together.

It was practical.

It was safe.

And Biscuit was very demanding. He didn’t take no for an answer.

“He likes you,” Noah told her. “I’m not even sure I’m his favorite person anymore.”

“Of course not, I’m prettier than you,” she joked.

“Claire, admit it. You love my dog.”

It was then Biscuit chose to start attacking her with kisses. Noah grabbed her coffee from her, so it didn’t spill as Biscuit jumped all over her.

“Fine,” Claire admitted. “I do not completely hate him.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.” She stood up, smoothed her clothes, and took her coffee back from Noah.

They stepped into the elevator and were greeted by Mrs. Evelyn. She looked at them with a knowing smile. “You always walk Biscuit together. That’s cute.”

Claire froze. “We are not—”

“We’re not—” Noah started at the same time.

They both stopped. Mrs. Evelyn just grinned. Biscuit barked, maybe in defiance, interrupting them both. “He disagrees,” Mrs. Evelyn observed.

“Thanks a lot, dude,” Noah muttered. “Way to be on my side.”

Biscuit happily wagged his tail, tongue hanging out of his mouth. As soon as the elevator doors opened, he darted out. Noah and Claire both ran after him. By the time they stopped running, Claire had a cramp in her side from the coffee.

“So much for a nice, calm walk.” She laughed.

Biscuit looked pleased. “You better be nice, or she’ll quit coming with us,” Noah warned Biscuit. His ears drooped, and he slowly approached her, then sat down on her feet.

Noah said it jokingly, but the idea of not joining them next Sunday suddenly felt strangely disappointing.

“It’s okay, buddy,” Claire reassured Biscuit. He licked her in response.