Page 72 of The Road Home

"That's up to you. It's your house." Orson wanted to lean in and kiss him, but didn't dare.

"It's our house." Jared stared into his eyes. "She'll be our dog."

Orson's heart fluttered. Knowing it and hearing it were two different things. He still wasn't able to think of Jared's as his home, but that was only because he had trouble accepting that he finally had a home. "I like her." Orson smiled. "We can get her."

Jared nodded at Orson, then to the other man. "We'll take her."

As if she understood, Tippy gave a gentle bark, wagging her tail, still sitting calmly, watching them.

"I just need you to fill out the paperwork." The man handed a clipboard to Orson.

Orson stood, looking over the information. He still hadn't memorized all of Jared's information, so he handed it to Jared as he stood. "I'll let you put her in your name."

Jared nodded, softly touching Orson's back before taking the clipboard and pen.

As he filled out the paperwork, Orson thought about how comfortable things were getting. He'd gone from having a place to sleep to having a boyfriend and a home. Now they had a dog, and things were really starting to feel serious.

It was hardly how he saw his life going, but he couldn't complain at all. It was more than he ever dreamed he could have. Jared was the most amazing man, and he really wanted to think they could have a future, but he didn't dare let his guard down. As perfect as things were now, he'd learned the hard way that it could all be gone in an instant.