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“I thought we were just neighbors.That you were being nice to me because of Wally.”

Ouch.“Phillip…I met you because of Wally.Because of that first morning and when he came over to my house.But I certainly didn’tneedto intrude on your lesson with Jordan.Or offer to take Wally.”

“But you did that because of him.”

“I did it because of you.Because you would’ve worried about him alone in his crate during your appointment.Did I get the bonus of Wally’s company?Yes.Did my nibblets and all the other kids love him?For certain.But I didn’t do that just for his sake.If you want—if you want—then you now have the opportunity to meet people in the neighborhood.To make more friends.You might find me boring?—”

“No.”He nearly shouted the word.He gulped.“I thought you just…Wally…feeling sorry for me…”

“Nope and nope.I don’t ask people I feel sorry for to join me for lunch.Or take the time to walk with them.Or introduce them to the cutest teenager in Gaynor Beach.”I tapped my chin.“Actually, I’m not certain of Kevin’s age and I don’t want you to think?—”

“I don’t think.”

Phew.Only after I’d said the words had it struck me that they might be taken the wrong way.“Okay.So are we good?Friends?”

“Yeah.I guess.”He scrubbed his face again.

“Perfect.Got a doggie bag handy?”

He gazed down at Wally who’d just produced a very healthy pile of dog shit.

Phillip laughed.A bit wetly.“Uh, yeah.”He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out one that was already open.“So no one has to be around the poop longer than they have to.”He bent over and scooped.

I always, irrationally, worried when he did that after seeing him tumble twice.But he remained steady on his feet.He bent at the knees.He kept his balance.He tied off the bag and hustled over to the trash can nearby.

Is now the right time to tell him that I’m gay?Well, maybe not immediately after dog poop.But he certainly seemed cool with Joe and Alec yesterday.And, more importantly, where does he fall on the spectrum?I found him attractive—on the inside and out.

He returned a shy smile.“I’ll get used to scooping.I swear.I just always worry.”

“As long as you’re not leaving the poop, you don’t need to worry.Dogs poop.That’s a thing.Just keep them away from the sand in the sandbox.”I bent over to scritch Wally’s ears.“He’s the perfect dog.”

“Yeah, he is.”

“And you’re the perfect friend.”

He sniffed.“You barely know me.”

Am I laying it on too thick?“Maybe.But I do in some of the ways that count.You’re good with animals, friendly to kids, and when you smile it brightens my day.”

“I don’t smile very often.”

“Which makes them all the more precious when you do.”I grinned.“I plan to make you smile more.So, do you have plans today?”

“I…I’m busy.”

“With training Wally, right?But how about you come over later and watch a movie?I still have that popcorn?—”

“No thanks.”He turned.“I have to go.”

“Can I at least walk with you?”

He glanced over his shoulder.“You need to run.I need to go home.”

With that, he headed off.

I wasn’t fool enough to follow him.

Chapter11