"He almost killed me," she mutters, stroking his ears.
"He thought you were playing, fetch with him" I say. "He's an idiot."
Phoenix huffs, offended. Like he understood what I had just said.
She laughs then, really laughs, the sound bright and unguarded, and it catches me unaware.
"What's his name?" she asks, still petting him.
"Phoenix."
She stills.
Then she looks up at me slowly, eyebrows lifting.
"Phoenix?" she repeats.
"Yes. Phoenix"
Her mouth twitches and I already know what's coming.
"Like the bird?" she asks, eyes sparkling now.
I sigh. "Yes, Bella. Like the bird."
She snorts.
Actually snorts.
"Oh my God," she says, bursting into laughter. "Who names a dog Phoenix?"
I arch a brow. "Someone with taste."
She laughs harder, hand clapping over her mouth as she looks back down at him. "He's a dog. Not a mythical creature rising from the ashes."
Phoenix chooses that moment to roll onto his back, paws in the air, tongue lolling dramatically.
She loses it.
