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

Justin knelt to give him some attention. “I think you were kidding about this guy, though. He seems pretty well-adjusted to me.”


A shiver went up Thom’s spine. He clenched his jaw. “Nice way of saying I’m maladjusted. Thanks.”


Justin’s expression suddenly changed. “Wait. No. I didn’t mean that at all.”


Thom didn’t want to hear him apologize for accidentally saying something that he had definitely, absolutely meant. It wasn’t the first time someone had called him maladjusted, and he sincerely doubted it would be the last. It wasn’t a lie, even if it sucked to hear people say it.


Chapter 12