Lizards, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails (Connor)

[Connor Anderson]

Grady didn't need to feel bad. Hopefully he would realize that sooner or later. "It's okay, Grady. Really. I promise."

The explanation that followed made him smile a little. It was a tiny bit flattering, sure, but it certainly didn't make him dislike Grady. It didn't even make him mad. He just waited for him to finish, then shook his head. "It's okay, Grady. I swear. Forget about it, okay?" He didn't want him to worry about it.

"Yeah, I'll still help. I don't mind. Two of us will get them into their new home faster, right?"

[Grady Mitchellson]

Grady kept his head down, pretending to be very focused on carrying his new pet while he tried to hide his face. He was sure it was bright red. It was stupid for him to be so awkward. This was Connor after all. His first real friend at Hammel. Connor should be used Grady's random fails at language and basic human interaction.

As just as Grady was trying to remind himself of all of that, Connor did as well. Grady smiled and tried to shove away the last of his worry. "I bet you're a nice boyfriend," Grady thought aloud and blushed a bit. Really though Connor was nice and understanding. Any girl would be lucky to have him. "So...who is she?"

"Awesome! Thanks. You'll have to help me think of names too."

[Connor Anderson]

Poor Grady. Connor felt for his friend, who was clearly embarrassed after tripping all over his words. Honestly, Connor didn't fault him for it. He'd even seen his father, stoic as he could be, trip over words with clients. It happened to everyone.

Color flushed his cheeks at Grady's comment. "I hope I am." He did his best with Charlie. She had never said otherwise, so he assumed he was doing a good job. At least thinking about her made him relax a little bit. "Her name's Charlie. She's blonde... and really pretty." And sweet. And about a hundred other good words.

But this was about Grady's new buddies, not his girlfriend. Smitten as he was, he had to concentrate. "I'll try. I've got lots of naming experience. I'd help my parents name foals all the time." Hey, sometimes it was hard to keep thinking about names that went with Moon or Shine or something along those lines.