Those few days back home for Christmas nearly drove me nuts with Noah's constant messages.

He stopped posting on Instagram and started sending me pics of Happy directly instead.

At first, I'd check 'em out, but then he went overboard. Dozens of shots of the same sleeping pose? No thanks, I'm good.

Finally, he sent a text: "Happy wants to know when you're coming back."

Wow, Happy learned to talk over Christmas? Next year, he'll probably be texting me himself!

"Tell Happy I'll be back tomorrow night."

"Happy's coming to pick you up."

No joke, when I got to the exit, there was Happy perched on Noah's shoulder, rockin' a red fur vest.

Those two were quite the sight!

I squealed and rushed over. Noah froze for a sec, then hurriedly opened his arms to catch me.

Happy suddenly kicked off Noah's shoulder and jumped right into my arms.

"Good boy, Happy. I missed you so much!" I snuggled and nuzzled Happy.

The guy next to us looked a bit bummed, his arms empty. He had no choice but to grab my luggage.

I nudged the suddenly gloomy Noah with my elbow. "You really came to pick me up, huh?"

"Tom had something come up."

"You can drive?"

"First time."

"Well, I guess we're putting our lives in your hands then."

Noah stumbled a bit. I didn't notice and asked, "Why'd you stop?"

He stared at me. "You meant that?"

"Uh, meant what?"

What did I say?

First day back at work after the holidays, everyone was buzzing around the boss's office to get their gifts.

I didn't join the crowd. Noah had already given me mine last night. I even snagged an extra one for Happy.

Jessica sauntered over, shaking her gift box. "Amy's not getting hers? I guess you're too good for these little trinkets, huh?"

I followed Noah's advice and got up to walk away, ignoring her.

She blocked my path. "Found out a big secret yesterday. Look!"

She shoved her phone in my face. It was a photo of me getting out of a fancy car in front of my apartment building.

I got out first, holding Happy. Noah went to park the car.