“Hi.” He stood. “It’s a pleasure to meet you in person. I like Louie. Hell, I like Zeus, too.” He reached down to pet both dogs. “I’ve seen you before.”

“I’ve seen you, too. That’s how I knew you were a good fit for Louie.” Rob gestured to the nearby picnic table. “Why don’t we sit?”

“Sure. Want me to take a leash?”

“Thanks.” He offered the lead. “Louie’s nosy, but he’s not a puller.”

Kelly walked the dog to the table. He sat on the end and Louie settled by his feet. “I wanted to say hi before now, but I didn’t. I’m not usually shy, but I’m not great at making a move.” Shit. He shouldn’t have said that.

“I’m off-putting, I’m told,” Rob said. “I get wrapped up in my own little world and don’t pay attention. I try to play the chess game of matching people with pets and I get too snagged in it.”

“You have to dog watch and it’s an important job to do. You need to concentrate,” Kelly said. “But you can’t ignore these guys.”

“True.” Rob sat opposite him. “Are you friends with Daniel? It’s none of my business, so you don’t have to answer.”

“Sort of. We worked in the same building for a couple years. I was a clerk for Dr. Moore and Daniel worked for the dietician down the hall. We had a mutual friend who found out we’re both gay and tried to set us up. It was a disaster.” He’d probably said too much. He was good at overstepping.

“I’m sorry.”

“It happens. There are so many choices and plenty are bad. That’s why I like dogs. They’re loyal, cute and even though they talk back, it’s not because they’re bad.” Did he sound goofy? Rob didn’t seem upset, but still.

“I hear you. My last boyfriend didn’t see the need to rescue dogs. They’re just dogs, he’d say. No, I’d reply, they have feelings.”

“They do, and expressions, as well.” He knew that for certain. “How many dogs do you have?”

“Right now, I have four under my roof. Zeus and Louie are my two current rescues. I had five, but Norm has been adopted. I thought I had someone lined up for Zeus, but they changed their mind. Louie has been with me for six months. No one seems to want a dog with one eye. They think he’ll be harder to care for. He’s not.”

“That’s what made me like him.” He stroked Louie’s fur. “What about the other two?”

“I’ve got Squish, my bagle, and Twiggy, my dachshund.” Rob blushed. “I like dogs.”

“I can tell.” The more Rob blushed, the more Kelly wanted to make him smile, too. “I’m glad I’ve met you.” He glanced down at the dog. As soon as he’d laid eyes on Louie, he’d known he wanted him. The dog wasn’t Sally and that was fine. He needed this change. Besides, Louie gave him a connection to Rob. If he wasn’t mistaken, there was something brewing between him and Rob. He kind of liked Zeus, too. Maybe he’d gone soft, but he wanted to spend more time with both dogs and especially Rob. He liked animal-loving guys with big hearts. Rob fit the bill. Was he gay? Kelly wasn’t sure, but they had time to talk and he’d find out.

“Why don’t you walk Louie around? Zeus is busy power snoozing.” Rob grinned. “I’ll be right here. Get to know your dog.”

“Yeah?” He winked at Rob, then headed across the grass with Louie. He’d made the right decision by going to the rescue page. He’d not only found his next dog, but also met a new friend that could lead to more.