On Wednesday, she’d brought a cushion. Bug had immediately claimed it as his own, circling three times before collapsing with a sigh that suggested he’d been waiting his entire life for someone to provide proper bedding.
On Thursday, Maggie had walked in to find Evelyn lying on the floor, one hand resting on Bug’s back, staring at the ceiling.
“Should I be concerned?” Maggie had asked.
“Probably,” Evelyn had replied.
Maggie had nodded, set a cup of tea on the desk, and left without another word.
On Friday, Alyssa came to collect him.
Evelyn heard the knock and felt an irrational surge of disappointment. She’d grown used to Bug’s quiet presence, to the way he made the office feel less like a prison and more like a place where she could breathe.
“Come in,” she called, trying to sound professional and not at all like someone who’d spent the last two hours lying on the floor with a dog.
Alyssa stepped in, her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, her flannel shirt dusted with what looked like kibble. She looked tired but happy—the kind of tired that came from doing work that was a passion more than a career.
“Hey,” Alyssa said, her smile warm and easy. “Just checking in on Bug. Making sure he’s not causing too much trouble.”
“He’s been perfect,” Evelyn said, and meant it.
Alyssa’s smile widened. “He likes you.”
“How can you tell?”
“He doesn’t visit just anyone. Trust me, I’ve tried to get him to socialise with half the building. He’s very…selective.”
Evelyn felt absurdly pleased by this. “Well. He’s welcome here. Anytime.”
“Good to know.” Alyssa crossed the room and crouched beside Bug, scratching behind his ears. He opened one eye, gave her a look that clearly said you’re interrupting, and went back to sleep.
Alyssa laughed. “Yeah, you’re definitely his person now.”
“I’m not—” Evelyn started, then stopped. Because maybe she was. Maybe that wasn’t such a terrible thing.
They stood there for a moment, the silence stretching between them, comfortable and strange all at once.
“So,” Alyssa said, straightening up. “How’s the partnership going? From your end, I mean. Any complaints? Concerns? Employees threatening mutiny?”
“Quite the opposite, actually,” Evelyn admitted. “Morale’s up. Productivity’s…well, it’s about the same, but people seem happier. Less stressed.”
“That’s the magic of dogs,” Alyssa said. “They don’t care about your job title or your quarterly targets. They just want to be near you.”
Evelyn thought about Bug, about the way he’d chosen her office, her window, her company. “It’s nice,” she said quietly. “Having him here.”
“He thinks so too.” Alyssa hesitated, then added, “You know, if you ever want to visit the sanctuary, you’re welcome. See where he comes from. Meet the rest of the pack.”
Evelyn’s heart did something complicated. “I’d like that.”
“Yeah?” Alyssa’s face lit up, and Evelyn felt that flutter again, stronger this time.
“Yeah.”
“Cool. I’ll, uh, I’ll text you some dates. We can figure it out.”
“Sounds good.”
Alyssa lingered for another moment, then seemed to remember herself. “Right. I should…I’ve got about fifteen other dogs to check on. But I’ll see you Monday?”
