“He’s in his usual spot,” Evelyn replied despondently, her fingers massaging her temple. Should Alyssa just grab the pup and hightail it out of there? Probably. That’s what commitment-free player Alyssa would do. But this was Evelyn, and Alyssa’s heart ached at the sight of this beautiful woman struggling.
Instead of picking up Bug, Alyssa sat in the chair opposite Evelyn, who had her head down, staring at her desk. “Is everything okay, Evie?”
Stupid question. Clearly everything was not okay, but this was way outside Alyssa’s wheelhouse. If Evelyn was strictly a friend, Alyssa would be shit hot at advising, but as soon as the line blurred from friendship to something more, Alyssa was lost.
Evelyn let out a sharp laugh. “Oh, the usual, you know.” Finally Evelyn looked up. Alyssa was shocked at how tired the CEO looked. Dark circles marred Evelyn’s perfect face.
“Evelyn, when was the last time you ate? Or slept, for that matter?”
“What time is it now?”
“Half five.”
“Then yesterday. I ate yesterday. Couldn’t sleep, so I came in around four.”
Alyssa let out a surprised gasp. “Evelyn Crawford,” she admonished.
“I know, I know. I’ve already had a bollocking off of Maggie.”
“Good. Now, want to share the reason you were so angry at the phone you almost put it through your desk?”
Evelyn chuckled. “Apparently my father, the perfect boss, organised an HQ Christmas Party each year. Obviously I knew about the party, but I never realised it was him who threw it. Dan, the douchebag, was just informing me the responsibility for said party falls to me now. And he decided to let me know that nugget of information two weeks before the party issupposed to happen. I have no time to eat, let alone plan a fucking party.”
That was probably the first time Alyssa had heard Evelyn swear.
“I can help.”
Oh look, another case of verbal vomiting, Alyssa. Maybe one day you will think before you open your trap?
“You can’t help, you have the centre to run. You’re just as busy as I am.”
Alyssa heard Lil’s earlier words.The truth is you could, if you wanted to, dedicate some of your fierce focus on a woman.
Lil was right, Alyssa had plenty of help. There was no reason she couldn’t lend Evelyn a hand, as she was clearly struggling. What would that mean, though? Alyssa never chose a woman over Four Paws. Never.
“I have time, Evelyn, and I can help you.”
“What about Four Paws?”
“Lil is there and I have a full team to help. Let me do this for you. Let me help.” Alyssa saw Evelyn’s eyes swim with unshed tears. This was unfamiliar territory. How should Alyssa handle it?
Standing up, Alyssa rounded the desk and hauled Evelyn into her arms for a bone-crushing hug. Alyssa’s mum always gave her a hug when she was feeling a little overwhelmed, and it always helped.
“Thank you,” Evelyn mumbled into Alyssa’s shoulder. They stayed glued to each other for a few moments longer. Alyssa broke the hold because she was getting some pleasant feelings in pleasant places that were wholly inappropriate for the circumstances.
“Okay, here’s the game plan. You’re going to shut off your laptop and pour us a drink of something. Do you have alcohol?”
Evelyn shook her head.
“Bummer. Okay, new plan. I’ll order a pizza and beer. We’ll sit on the sofa with Bug glaring at us while we eat.” That earned her a laugh. “Then we will have a quick chat about what needs to be done for this party, and then you’re going home to sleep. Deal?”
“Well, how could I say no to that?”
Alyssa grinned. “You can’t. It’s impossible.”
With the pizza ordered, Alyssa and Evelyn settled on the sofa. Bug trundled over, ignoring Alyssa completely. Popping his front paws on the sofa, Bug looked at Evelyn expectantly. Alyssa regarded the pair with curiosity.
What’s going on here then?
