Sunlight filtered through the white curtains, casting a golden warmth across the kitchen table. The smell of eggs, toast, and sizzling bacon filled the air, mingling with the rich scent of fresh coffee.
Lily sat at the table in an oversized hoodie and sleep-fluffed hair, grinning lazily at her older brother, Lucas, who was telling some dramatic story about his coworker's birthday disaster. Aaron sat beside her, still in a plain black tee and sweatpants, sipping orange juice with a small smirk.
Across the table, Lily's mom and dad shared knowing glances—there was no mistaking how comfortable Aaron looked in their home.
But the real center of attention was currently doing laps around the table.
"Bruno!" Lily laughed, scooting her chair back as the golden retriever trotted by with a sock in his mouth. "That's mine, you little thief!"
Aaron leaned over. "He's faster than you, you know."
"Oh really?" Lily challenged.
Aaron was already getting up. "Let's test that."
Lily's mom rolled her eyes with a smile as her daughter and boyfriend tore off through the hallway, laughing and calling after the dog. Lucas got up, too, cheering like it was some kind of race.
"Go, Bruno!" he shouted. "Show 'em who's boss!"
Bruno dodged into the living room, tail wagging, clearly loving the attention. Aaron cornered him near the couch, while Lily lunged low to cut off his escape. Bruno paused—then turned left and slipped through their legs like a golden blur.
"I swear he's part fox," Aaron said, breathless.
Lily burst into giggles. "You're just slow!"
Lucas sat onto the couch. "You guys are embarrassing."
Bruno finally leaped onto his dog bed, victorious, dropping the sock like a trophy. Aaron flopped beside him on the carpet, grinning. "Okay, okay. You win, buddy."
The dog panted proudly, tail thumping like a drum.
Lily knelt down beside Aaron and rested her chin on his shoulder. "Told you he was fast."
Aaron turned slightly, eyes soft. "You didn't say he was cute and evil as well."
They all ended up on the floor for a few minutes—Lily's family drifting back to breakfast while the three "kids" stayed sprawled out around Bruno like he was the king of the castle.
It was warm. Easy.
Later, as Lily rested her head against Aaron's shoulder again, Bruno nuzzled into her lap, and Lucas tossed a squeaky toy aimlessly into the hallway, Aaron looked around at the scene—and smiled.
He hadn't just fallen for Lily.
He was starting to fall for the whole world she came from.