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

Dog huffed in agreement but shook his head. Thom decided to take the mixed signals as a quirk of doggyness and not actual dogma.


He stepped up to the counter and gave the woman a smile. For a woman that had been active in the market since seventy-four, she looked remarkably good. While harsh and extreme weather tended not to be skin’s best friend, Lucy didn’t seem to be affected by it. Thom wouldn’t have placed her at being any older than he was. He tried to sound cordial and friendly, speaking in low tones and a soft cadence. “I’m so sorry to bother you, but I was talking with the deli guy and he mentioned that I should come over here and chat with you as you’ve—his words, not mine—’been here since seventy-four and if anyone knows anything, it would be you.’”


“Frank gives me a lot of credit,” she said, eyeing him. “Although he makes me sound like an old bat, doesn’t he?”


Thom shook his head, eyes widening. “No, ma’am. Not at all.”


Chapter 38