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

Thom didn’t wait for anything else to happen. He turned on his heel and walked as quickly as he could manage without breaking into a run. Past the pies, past the stupid Christmas decorations, and out the entrance. He was relieved to find Justin right behind him when he got to the car


“I have no idea.” Thom tapped the car window. “Let’s just go. Let’s get out of here.”


Justin hit the key fob and the doors popped open. Thom didn’t wait for Justin to tell him to get in. He shoved Dog in the back seat, then hurried in himself.


“I see you!” the man shouted from the entrance. “I want my fucking dog!”


What felt like a hundred faces had followed them out of the market, all turned in Thom’s direction. An entire army of people judged their retreat, nodding, whispering, and pointing, while Thom’s heart pounded with enough force that he was sure they could all hear it. “Go, go, go, go,” he mumbled, practically bouncing with nervous energy.


Chapter 34