“Did I interrupt?” Evelyn asked, sitting down. Alyssa grew jealous of the pint Evelyn put to her lips.
“Not at all. We were just chatting.”
Evelyn nodded and wiped a bit of foam from her top lip. “So you said you had a bad day? Tell me.”
With her Guinness in hand, Alyssa walked Evelyn through her afternoon. It felt good to unload. Evelyn didn’t offer an opinion, she just sat and listened. She made Alyssa feel heard.
“Can I ask about Bug?” They had been quiet for several seconds after Alyssa finished ranting about her day.
“Of course. What do you want to know?”
“Well first, why Bug? I mean, it’s an odd name, don’t you think?”
Alyssa laughed. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard that said. “Bug is a perfect name for him. It sums him up.”
“What do you mean?”
“Okay, first, when he gets to know you and is comfortable, he is a massive snuggle bug. I’m talking world-class cuddler. So that’s the first connection: Snuggle Bug. Second, he was born a grumpy old man at Christmas. He was never an overly excited puppy. He liked to just sleep and grumble anytime we tried to get him to walk or play. So with him being a December baby and a miserable sausage, you can understand why we linked his Scrooge-like behaviour to his name. You know Bah Humbug. Third, he is black and white. Just like the hard-boiled sweet humbugs.”
“I’m starting to see the pattern.” Evelyn laughed.
Alyssa smiled. Evelyn’s low, sultry laugh was outstanding.
“Last but not least, he bugs the crap out of me most days.”
“How?” Evelyn snickered.
“Bug has a few interesting habits and traits. I’m not going to tell you because I think it’s something you have to discover on your own. But! When you do, some of those traits will bug you.Even though he is totally adorable. That dog is special. Only the lucky get to really know him.”
“I hope I’m one of those lucky ones,” Evelyn sighed.
“You are. He hasn’t visited anyone else in the building since the day we arrived. Whether you like it or not, he’s made you his friend.”
“I like when he comes to my office.”
Alyssa wanted to reach out and cup Evelyn’s cheek. She was so sweet and almost shy as she spoke.
“Do you want to set up a time to visit the centre? We never got around to it.” Alyssa blurted.
“Really, you still want me to come?”
“Yeah, totally. I think it would be really good for you to see what we do. Especially if we work together in the future.”
“I’d love that.” Silence settled between them. Alyssa was very aware of Lil’s eyes drilling into her from across the table.
“Has Bug been with you since he was a baby?”
“Since he turned one. He was born on a working farm, but he was the runt of the litter and scared of gunshots. The farmer spent a few months trying to train him, then gave up and dumped him on my doorstep.”
“Poor boy.”
“Yeah. I thought he would get adopted quickly, but it never happened. For some reason, he always gets overlooked.”
“I don’t know how anyone could overlook him. Have you seen his face and those bloody sad eyes he makes when he wants something?”
Alyssa burst out laughing. “So you are getting to know his traits then, huh? That lad can manipulate the hardest of people. It’s a gift.”
“Could…?”
