The sunlight that seeped through Layla’s blinds felt less like morning and more like punishment, thin blades of gold slicing through the dark refuge she had tried—and failed—to hide in. She didn’t wake all at once. Instead, a warm breath brushed her cheek first—soft, insistent—followed by a wet nose nudging beneath her jaw. A small weight shifted against her chest, then a sudden, unapologetic lick dragged across her face.Layla groaned faintly and turned her head, half-asleep irritation bubbling up before memory could catch her.“Okay, okay,” she murmured hoarsely, eyes still closed. “I’m up.”Another lick landed on her cheek, more enthusiastic this time and her eyes fluttered open.Brown eyes stared back at her wide and loyal,tail thumping faintly against the mattress like it was the best morning in the world. Milo. Her family’s dog,too small to be intimidating, too affectionate to understand boundaries, and apparently determined to wake her whether she was ready or not.Layla let
Last Updated : 2026-02-08 Read more