You couldn’t help but notice that Haley, Dick’s little gray dog, had started following you around more than usual. Whenever you were in the living room, Haley would curl up beside you on the couch, or nudge your hand with her paw when you were doing anything that didn’t involve her. It was a sweet, innocent thing, but it was starting to get... noticeable.

You were sitting on the couch one evening, gently petting Haley as she lay next to you, when you heard the familiar footsteps behind you.

"You're really starting to steal my dog, huh?" Dick's voice was light, but there was an edge to it that you couldn't ignore.

He standing in the doorway, crossed his arms, his usual grin nowhere to be found. "Yeah, she’s been cuddling you a lot lately. I didn’t know I had to compete for her attention."

Haley, oblivious to the tension building, stretched out with a contented yawn and nuzzled her head into your lap, making herself comfortable.