“We should name him Snickerdoodle,” Fiona said, cuddling the puppy as we sat on the subway. It was really late and I had practice in the morning.
Saoirse shook her head. “He’s not a Doodle, he's a Labrador.”
“What about Cookie? Or Cutie Pie?” she offered.
“What about Sceólang?” Saoirse offered. “Or Bran?”
Dusty thought for a moment. “Do they have a story?”
“They’re the hunting dogs of Fionn mac Cumhaill,” she replied.
“Oh, I like that.” Dusty looked at his phone. “Oooh. What about Ispín?”
“Sausage? Are you a wee silly sausage?” Fiona laughed, snuggling the dog.
“I kinda like Ispín,” Hale replied. “Or Angus.”
“Ispín is funny.” I yawned as I leaned into Hale.
Hale got us a dog. A very cute dog.
We got off the subway and walked back to the house. It was cold and dark. Fiona held the puppy. Saoirse, Dusty, and I helped Halecarry all his stuff.
“Will Saoirse fight me if I haul you off to bed tonight?” I asked Fiona.
“I have dibs on the boys tonight, you get the puppy,” Fiona called.
“Noted, though I may steal you out of the bed in the middle of the night after you’re asleep,” she replied.
Hale looked taken aback and I shook my head.
“Don’t fight Saoirse on that or we might end up tied to the bed,” I replied.
“I suppose if we’re sleeping.” He nodded. “Though it’s already pretty late. Carlos and I have things in the morning. You two can go have one of your four hour make out sessions then.”
Fiona licked her lips and winked at Saoirse.
“Perhaps only an hour or two. I’m going with Dusty to the studio tomorrow to record some things,” she replied.
Fiona threw an arm around her. “You are? Proud of you.”
“I’m so excited for you. You absolutely should become a musician with Dusty,” I stated.
“I do have some pretty interesting projects coming up. I’m doing a collaboration with Remington Skylark, though she isn’t answering my messages right now. Hopefully she’s just busy,” Dusty said.
I had no idea who that was, but Dusty was excited. He did love his collaborations.
“I do hope I can figure out something so I don’t have to spend too much time away,” Hale said. He looked around. “I was feeling watched the other day–here, not in the Circle.”
“That would be my ex who was being a stalker.” I sighed.
“Oh, I’m glad it was just your ex and not any of that assassin stuff Dusty was talking about,” Hale replied as we unlocked the door and went inside.
“Where do you want to be tonight?” I asked as I took off my shoes and hung up my backpack.
“Oh, if you’re hungry, there’s roast chicken I made for you inthe fridge.” Fiona kissed Hale.
“You did? I’ll have that later. I vote for the pack bedroom.” Hale gave me a sultry look.
