Thom Baron has been struggling with social anxiety his entire life. He's taken the medications, gone to the therapists, followed the programs, and concluded his best life is a solitary one. When he comes across a dog in obvious need at his local market, it rekindles the desire to have some company around. It may come with a dishevelled coat, a notched ear, and a refusal to respond to anything but its given name "Ugly," but it could still be a friend.<br><br>However, Thom's new fur buddy has no such need to keep to itself and immediately befriends the man Thom has secretly coveted since he moved in -- Justin, Thom's gorgeous, bright-eyed neighbour. No matter how Thom tries to evade the man, the dog keeps drawing them back into each other's lives, and it doesn't take Thom long to recognize it's simply pursuing the demands of Thom's own heart. With the dog giving him the courage to try, Thom reaches out to return the love being offered.<br><br>Until a stranger shows up insisting the dog is his and demanding its immediate return ... a loss Thom knows will take all of his efforts and newfound confidence with it.

But by the Grace of Dog

It was as if his rise up the stairs and Dog’s rise from seated to standing were timed one to the other. By the time Justin lifted his foot to make the final step, hand still out, smile still wide, questions and exclamations still flying, Dog was springing. It seemed to be a happy leap, but Thom didn’t know the animal enough to be sure he wasn’t trying to rip out Justin’s throat.


Justin’s expression morphed from glee to startled. Dog’s tongue fell out, all four paws sprawled out in a Superman stretch. Thom managed a gurgle as the leash yanked him forward. Justin was pushed backwards, Dog followed through, and Thom lurched after the both of them. They all went down hard, Justin onto the walkway, Dog on Justin, Thom on Dog.


With eyes as wide as saucers, Thom stared at Justin. “Oh! Oh…oh, God. Justin…oh my, God, I’m sorry. I didn’t…I don’t…he’s not…”


Justin burst out laughing even before Dog began to cover his face with exuberant kisses. He continued laughing as Thom rolled away.


Chapter 9