“So why the partnership?” Evelyn wanted to move the conversation along. Not because she was bored, but because she didn’t like to see Alyssa upset.
“The dogs still need stimulation and socialisation. My partner came up with the idea of approaching Richard. Honestly, I didn’t go to him with any kind of plan. That sort of just happened. Your dad got so excited.” Alyssa chuckled.
Evelyn rolled her eyes playfully. That was her dad all right. Put a dog in front of him, and he was a kid at Christmas. Maybe not the best phrase to use. Definitely not something to say in front of Alyssa. “So, what did he offer?”
“Basically, we paired each dog up with a volunteer. Your dad made sure that everyone involved knew their responsibilities. They signed forms. Anyone with an allergy where a dog would be present was moved to a different floor, or offered to work from home if possible.”
“Okay, that doesn’t sound too bad, I suppose.”
“We collect the dogs at the end of the day and return them to the sanctuary.”
“The volunteers can’t take them home?”
“Not yet. We decided to give everyone a month. When December rolls around, any volunteer who wishes to take the dog can do so for a night during the week or the weekend.”
“But not all week?”
“Nope. I don’t want the dogs thinking they have found their forever home. It’s not fair to them. That’s why I will be the one to decide if a dog can be taken for a night. Some of the pack are more sensitive than others.”
“Sounds reasonable. And everything is going well so far?” Now that Evelyn had calmed down and spoken to Alyssa like a rational human being, she was delighted with the partnership. Her dad knew what he was doing. She trusted his judgement, even if she wished he had told her first.
“Everything has gone brilliantly. Except for the minor hiccup with Bug.” Alyssa chuckled.
Ah, yes Bug. The little runaway.
Evelyn laughed. “It was a surprise, I must admit. At first I thought I was hallucinating.”
“Oh, no. Bug is definitely real.”
“Who is his volunteer?”
“It was a fella called Cyril—”
“But Cyril is in the hospital—”
“With a broken hip, yes. Well, there isn’t anyone else who matches Bug, so he will stay with me during the day. Or Lil, when I need to go to meetings.”
“Lil?”
“Yes, my partner.” Evelyn’s heart dropped to her stomach. Of course, Alyssa had a partner.
“I feel a bit bad for the little guy now.”
“Don’t feel too bad. Lil and I will spoil him.”
The conversation hit a lull. Evelyn watched Alyssa gaze around her office.
“It’s not the most exciting of offices, I’m afraid.” Evelyn suddenly felt conscious of the stark coldness her workspace offered. Alyssa seemed like a warm and colourful kind of person. Not corporate bland.
“Hey, whatever floats your boat. My office is a sixth of the size of this, covered in dog hair and piles of paperwork.”
“Sounds heavenly,” Evelyn laughed.
“So…”
“So?” Evelyn arched her eyebrow and then blushed because she was using her signature sexy eyebrow move on this woman, the one with a partner and not in the least bit interested in her.
“Are we okay…the partnership, I mean?” Did Alyssa have a little tinge of red on her creamy cheeks? If so, was that because of Evelyn’s fabulous eyebrow game?
