“Hey, thanks for being such a wonderful help today. You really held things together and made it all a little easier.” Flynn hugged Clara outside his apartment building, and the two stood there for a moment as cars whizzed by on Stone Way. The hug lasted a little longer than usual, and Flynn thought it was because he really needed it. He didn’t break apart from Clara’s softness until he felt Barley tugging at the leash. A squirrel had run by, and the dog’s instincts shifted predictably into overdrive.
Flynn let go of Clara and tugged back on the leash. It wouldn’t do to lose Barley again, not after all they’d just been through.
“What are friends for?” Clara smiled and slipped her sunglasses, which had been perched at the top of her head, back down over her eyes. She patted Flynn’s arm. “I
