“And this guy?” Thomas patted Gus’s back where Gus was sitting beside his chair. “I know he’s super smart and certified. Can you tell me more about him?”
Avery was thrilled by Thomas’s interest in Gus.
“He is the smartest,” Avery gushed. “Originally he was going to be trained for one certification but there is nothing that he can’t do. He’s been trained and waiting for his forever person for four months now.”
“He’s waited that long?” Thomas ran his hand down Gus’s back.
Avery knew how soft Gus’s fur was and how it was soothing to pet him. “He’s picky.”
“Picky?” Thomas asked.
“You’re the first person that he’s shown any interest in besides those of us that work here,” Avery explained. “That is why I gave him the name Grumpy Gus.”
“Oh!” Thomas looked back down as he continued to pet Gus.
Since it looked like Thomas was lost in thought, Avery decided to sit quietly and let Thomas work out his thoughts. That was until he heard his name being called.
Avery lifted a hand and waved at Clint who was jogging over.
“Everything okay?” Clint asked as he stopped in the grass in front of the chairs.
“Good,” Avery said. “Gus spotted Thomas and wanted to stop by and say hi.”
Clint grinned. “Did he? That’s great.”
Avery agreed.
“You have a phone call though,” Clint said. “It’s from another applicant. He had a question about the email you sent.”
“Oh!” Avery started to rise.
With Gus now leaning against Thomas’s legs, he hated to take the dog away.
“I can stay with Gus,” Clint offered.
“Okay.” Avery stood, grabbing Noel’s leash again. “It was nice talking to you Thomas. I hope we can do it again. I’d love to tell you more about our resident grump.”
Thomas chuckled and nodded. “I’d like that. It looks like I’ll be staying for awhile so maybe we can visit again.”
“You can count on it.” Avery tugged Noel down the steps, who had to stop by Clint to get pats before Avery led the way back to the office. He’d had a good feeling about Thomas from the start and seeing Gus with him cemented it.
Avery didn’t know if he and Thomas would be able to become friends in the short amount of time that Thomas would be with him but Avery would like to try. There was something about the young man that just spoke to Avery.
Hurrying to the office, Avery could just hope that everything would work out for Thomas and for Gus.
* * *
Avery
“Avery!”
Avery turned from where he was piling up a mountain of sand when his name was screamed. He waved to Hayley and Caleb before jumping to his feet. The sand had somehow gotten above his feet so when he took a step, Avery ended up faceplanting.
He grunted, causing the binkie to fall out of his mouth.
“Let me help,” Mitch said as he lifted Avery out of the sandbox.
“Tanks,” Avery replied and hugged him. “You almost snuck up on me.”
