“I…” Should she confess how she really felt about being CEO? “Before dad went away, I was considering leaving the company.”
“Wow, and now you’re CEO.”
“Yeah, not by choice. Dad didn’t exactly give me an option.”
“Why did you want to leave?”
“I love the company, don’t get me wrong. It was built from hard work and love. My parents gave everything they had to it.And then they gave it to me. Well, that’s how it feels. I haven’t earned it…I was given it and that irritates me.”
“Are you kidding me?” Evelyn was taken aback by Alyssa’s sudden outburst. “Evelyn, I’ve known you for a month and I already know you well enough to see how bloody hard you work. How can you say you haven’t earned it?”
“I had a job waiting for me since the day I could walk. How’s that me earning it?”
“Alright, yes, you were given the opportunity, but I bet you worked your arse off. I’m guessing you went to university, aced business, and then steadily worked your way up through the company.” Alyssa was right. Evelyn had done that. “If you weren’t CEO, what would you do?”
“I have no idea. I think I would prefer to work in the charity side of the company. Like I said, I admire you for doing what you do. I’d like to do something in the same field.”
“So you don’t really want to leave Crawford’s, just change up your position?”
Evelyn sat and thought for a minute. She’d always imagined that if she wanted something different, she would have to leave the family business behind. After all, how disappointed would her dad be that she didn’t want to be at the helm, but in a lower position?
“I love Crawford’s. I just need a change. Something I’ve done on my own.”
Alyssa shrugged. “So do it then. Find something you want to do and get on with it. Evelyn, I’ve seen you work. I know for a fact that you could find that thing you love and make it a success. Take some time to figure out exactly what you want and go for it.”
Could she really do that? Tell her dad she didn’t want to be CEO? Find something within Crawford’s that was just hers? Alyssa was the first person to tell her outright to go for it. Maggiewas supportive, but she listened more than advised. Well, she lectured at times, but that was Maggie’s love language.
“It’s hard not to get swept up in you sometimes,” Evelyn laughed, then stilled. Their eyes held, and Evelyn swore she saw more than friendship on Alyssa’s face. It was a building heat, a crackle, and Evelyn wanted to do something about it. But she wouldn’t—not when Alyssa had a partner.
This wasn’t the first time Evelyn had felt the pull. There had been stolen moments at the office, afternoons when it was just the two of them, times when Evelyn had caught herself flirting and had to pull back. She’d felt guilty about it too—about how much time she spent with Alyssa when Lil wasn’t around, about how easy it was to forget that Alyssa was spoken for. What struck her most was how little Alyssa and Lil actually seemed to spend together. Or talk about each other, to be honest. Evelyn could’ve sworn Alyssa had flirted back on more than one occasion, but she’d never acted on it. She wouldn’t now, either.
Clearing her throat, Evelyn swallowed the last bit of coffee, hoping the break in eye contact would also break the tension.
“Want to stay for dinner?”
All Evelyn had to do was politely turn down Alyssa’s offer to stay for dinner. Did she do that? Nope. Of course not, because she was an idiot. Even though Evelyn knew she couldn’t pursue Alyssa, that didn’t stop her body from wanting to be close to her.
As she helped Alyssa hand over the nightly duties to a man called Gary, her nerves kicked up a notch. It’s not like they’d never shared a meal before. Blimey, they ate lunch together most days, but this felt different. Evelyn was going to be invited intoAlyssa’s private space, her home. A home that took Evelyn a quick minute to process.
“You live in a caravan?”
“No, I live in a mobile home. What part of that,” Alyssa pointed, “looks like a caravan?” Thankfully, she was laughing as she spoke, so Evelyn didn’t worry that she’d offended her.
“No, sorry, I know. I’m just surprised.”
“Most people are. Come on, I’ll show you around.”
Evelyn had stayed in mobile homes before. Her mum and dad took her to Cornwall every year for their family holiday. Some of her best memories were in mobile homes.
Inside was deceptively large. All open plan, top of the range equipment and fittings. Evelyn instantly felt at home. Unlike her penthouse, which had always felt lonely. Even though she decorated to her own taste, it never felt cosy and homely.
“I love it, Al.”
“So do I. It’s super convenient for the shelter.”
“And the views are superb. I bet you get a lovely sunrise from your deck.”
“Indeed I do. That’s why I wanted a model with a full wrap around deck. I can sit outside and enjoy the sunrise and sunset. Not that I’ve done it in a while.”
