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I glance toward the window, where the dogs are investigating something in the snow.

"The rest is complicated."

She smiles faintly. "Most worthwhile things are."

I think about that long after our conversation moves on.

The following morning, I discover that the dogs have decided I'm acceptable company.

The German Shepherd follows me into the garden when I step outside with Rez. The Leonbergers lumber after us, leaving enormous paw prints in the snow, and I spend the next ten minutes laughing as one tries to investigate a snowbank with considerably more enthusiasm than grace.

Rez stands beside me, hands in his coat pockets, watching the chaos.

"You're enjoying this."

"Immensely."

"Good. They're your responsibility now."

I turn to him. "You cannot simply assign me three enormous dogs."

"Already did."

"That's not how responsibility works."

"Sounds like something a lawyer would say."

I stare at him.

He smirks, and I throw a handful of snow at his chest.

He looks down at his jacket, then slowly raises his eyes to mine. "Oh, you've made a mistake."

I run, but he catches me before I make it halfway across the garden, his arms closing around my waist as I shriek with laughter. He lifts me just enough to turn me toward him, and I grab his shoulders to steady myself.

"Put me down!"

"Apologize."

"Never."

He kisses me, and I forget what I was arguing about.

When he finally lets go, the dogs wander off to investigate something more interesting, leaving us alone beneath the bare branches.

I rest my forehead against his.

"You fight dirty."

"You started it."

"I threw snow."

"At me."

"An unforgivable offense."

"Clearly."