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"That's how he welcomes people."

"I feel honored."

"You should."

There it is again. The easy back-and-forth. But it feels different here. At the market, every exchange with him felt like a challenge. Here, it feels almost like a conversation. Almost.

Atlas arrives five minutes later with Javier and Cole. Atlas walks calmly at Javier's side. No leash pulling. No excitement. Just quiet attention. Cole, on the other hand, is carrying one glove.

"Found it," he announces.

Javier looks at him. "Where?"

"Tool shed."

"You blamed my dog."

"He looked guilty."

Atlas sits beside Javier.

"He always looks like that."

Cole notices me.

"Oh. Hey."

"Hi."

He points at me. "Market."

"I remember."

His face brightens.

"The emergency code."

I smile.

"Pronto."

Cole grins.

"See? She remembers."

"I was there."

Emma laughs. Javier gives Cole a look.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Probably."

"Find it."

Cole heads toward the door.

"Nice seeing you again, Madison."