Compromise

Damien Sterling had barely stepped through the door when a sneeze escaped him.

"Achoo..."

Emma Hart, clutching Bailey, wore a look of deep concern. "Bailey, did you hear that? He keeps sneezing. If this continues, he might not let me keep you."

"Woo..."

Bailey seemed to understand Emma's words, gazing up at her with big, sad eyes and nuzzling her for comfort.

Emma stroked Bailey's forehead, "I know you don't want to leave me, and of course, I don't want to part with you either."

Looking at Bailey, Emma sighed, resigned to the fact that she knew who had the final say in their home.

The door swung open, and Damien Sterling filled the frame, his tall and lean figure nearly blocking the entire doorway, his presence unmistakable.

His displeasure became evident upon seeing Bailey in Emma's arms, his eyebrows furrowing in annoyance. "This dog... Achoo..."