Breaking the Grid

Menace

I crouched down gently placing Milo on the ground. He stretched his legs immediately, letting out a content little huff as he looked up at me with his big, expressive eyes. I couldn't resist pressing a kiss to the soft patch of white fur on his head.

"Alright, buddy," I said, handing his leash to Kyra, who stood a few steps away with an amused smile on her face. "We really need to wash the boy because he smells bad."

Kyra raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching with barely contained laughter. "He smells bad because you were the one who walked him, and you let him drag himself through every puddle and patch of dirt he could find."

I rolled my eyes, brushing off her comment as I ruffled Milo's fur. "Don't listen to her, Milo. She doesn't appreciate your adventurous spirit."

Kyra snorted, shaking her head as she wrapped the leash around her wrist. "Adventurous spirit? He's a menace, Blair."

"And he's perfect," I shot back with a grin, straightening up and brushing my hands on my jeans.

As Milo sniffed curiously around the tarmac, his tail wagging lazily, I turned my attention to the luggage waiting at the foot of the plane's stairs.

I walked over to the luggage, grabbing the handle of my suitcase while Milo gave an enthusiastic tug on his leash, clearly eager to explore. Kyra planted her feet, keeping him in check with practiced ease.

"Think he's excited ?" Kyra asked, glancing at Milo, who was now sniffing the wheels of a nearby cart with intense focus.

I chuckled, hefting the suitcase up and rolling it toward her. "He's just excited to get a bath. Right, Milo?"

Milo's ears perked up at the sound of his name, and he gave a soft bark as if to say.

Kyra laughed, a sound that never failed to make my chest feel lighter. "You're delusional if you think he's looking forward to that."

"Maybe," I admitted, flashing her a grin as I grabbed the smaller bag I'd packed for Milo's things. "But we'll get through it. Together."

Kyra rolled her eyes, though the fond smile on her face betrayed her. "You're lucky you're cute," she said, her tone teasing as she started walking toward the car waiting nearby.

"And you're lucky I love you," I quipped, following her with the luggage in tow.

Her laugh floated back to me, light and warm, and as I watched her interact with Milo, her dark hair catching the soft glow of the afternoon sun, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude.

The warmth of the Australian sun hit me as soon as we stepped out of the airport. It was a different kind of heat—dry, comforting, and instantly grounding. I wasn't sure if it was the weather or just the significance of being here, but my chest felt tighter than usual.

Kyra walked hand in hand with mine, Milo happily trotting beside her, his leash wrapped around her wrist. She looked relaxed, her steps light as if being back home had lifted a weight from her shoulders.

I, on the other hand, was trying to ignore the butterflies swirling in my stomach. Kyra had invited me weeks ago, and I'd eagerly agreed, wanting to be with her during her break. But as the plane descended into Melbourne, reality had set in—I was about to meet her family.

Sure, I'd met Mia and Liam before. They were easygoing, but her parents? That was a whole different ballgame.

She'd told me she'd hinted to them that she was seeing someone, but I wasn't sure how much detail she'd shared. The thought of walking into her childhood home, introducing myself as the person your daughter is in love with, was enough to make my palms sweat.