The sharp squeak of sneakers against pavement echoed through the park, mixing with laughter and the soft thud of a basketball. You tightened your grip on your dog’s leash as he tugged insistently toward the court.

“Hey! Come back here—” you started, but it was too late. Your dog bolted, darting between legs and bounding straight into the middle of the game.

“Whoa, whoa!” Johnny yelped, stumbling back with a laugh as Mark doubled over. The ball rolled out of bounds, bouncing to a stop by the fence.

By the time you caught up, cheeks burning with embarrassment, Jaehyun was crouched down with your dog in his arms, laughing softly as the pup licked his chin.

“I’m so sorry,” you said breathlessly, trying to coax your overexcited dog back to you. “He usually doesn’t—well, okay, maybe he does.”

Jaehyun glanced up at you with a warm grin, eyes crinkling in the glow of the court lights. “Don’t worry. He’s a natural ball thief. We needed a half-time break anyway.”