Elijah was the first to grab his jacket from the hook by the door, glancing toward Trey with a grin. “You ready? We’ve got the east border check and then the new training rotation after that.”
Trey nodded, finishing the last sip of his coffee before setting the mug down. He turned to Rae, still leaning against the counter with her second cup, a teasing glint in her eye. “I’ll be back before lunch,” he said, stepping closer. “Try not to miss me too much.”
Rae smirked. “I’ll survive somehow.”
But before he could lean in for his usual goodbye kiss, Aspen trotted up—leash in mouth, tail wagging like he’d just saved the day. He sat at Trey’s feet, eyes wide, letting out a little whine as if saying, You’re not leaving me here with her again, are you?
Will burst out laughing from across the k
