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

“You’re going to need to wait for round two,” Thom teased. “I am all the way done with your dick for today.”


“Oh, yeah? Well, don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get used to it.”


They grinned at each other, and to Thom, it seemed like one of the most relaxed and honest moments he’d ever had in his life.


Justin patted the back of Thom’s hand. “Okay, at the risk of ending a good moment badly, I feel like I need to say something before we put this ‘cops and Dog and court’ thing to rest.”


Thom clicked his tongue and frowned. “Must you always?”


Chapter 47