“Nope, I think I want to cook for her. At my place, or hers. I want to talk to her properly and relax.”
“Yep, good thinking. Plan the best date ever and Josh won’t stand a chance!”
“I’m not competing with Josh or anyone, Maggie. Alyssa knows her own mind. If she chooses to be with Josh, that’s her call.”
“You are way too passé about this, Evie. I mean really.” Maggie rolled her eyes.
“Well, now that’s done, I’m going to go home. I have a house guest tonight and we need some sofa time.”
“Have you got everything he needs?”
“Maggie, I run a pet supply company. Iliterallyhave everything he needs. I’ll message Blake to deliver some stuff to my place.”
“I’m proud of you, Evie.”
“Don’t be soft. I’m just looking out for him this evening.”
“Not for that, and you know it. Whether it’s because of Alyssa or that ball of fluff over there,” Maggie pointed to Bug, who was curled up in a ball by the window. “You’ve been making some changes these past few weeks. Good changes. I’m proud of you for doing that.”
Evelyn dropped her eyes to the table. It was Alyssa and Bug who had helped her. “They’re good for me,” she said, her voice just above a whisper.
“Then keep hold of them.”
“Alright, Bug, we’re home. Now, I just need a minute to get everything ready for you, so take your time. Have a wander round and make yourself at home.”
Had Evelyn gone overboard with what she’d asked Blake to bring over? No doubt. Did she care? Not one bit. It feltwonderful to spoil her little friend. He deserved it for being so caring.
Even though it was past the middle of December, Evelyn’s penthouse remained Christmas-less. There was no garland on the fireplace. No tree twinkling in the corner of her living room. All signs that it was the festive season were nonexistent. Unlike her office, which had been transformed into a winter wonderland by Maggie.
She’d been surrounded by Christmas cheer for weeks now—the decorations at Crawford’s, the magical evening at the Christmas market with Alyssa, the party at the warehouse with its fairy lights and festive warmth. She could appreciate it in those spaces, could even enjoy it, but bringing it into her home felt like a step too far.
No matter how hard she tried, Evelyn couldn’t muster the enthusiasm for the holiday season in her own space. Everything just reminded her of her mum and how many things had changed. Even though she was an adult, Evelyn, her mum and dad always shared Christmas together. Roslyn hadn’t cared that Evelyn was a grown woman. She’d still made the time magical, just like when Evelyn was a small child.
Home was where the absence felt sharpest—even though this penthouse wasn’t where she’d grown up, wasn’t where the majority of family Christmases had been spent, the memories followed her anyway. Here, she’d have to face the empty chair at the table, the missing voice singing carols off-key, the lack of elaborate gingerbread houses taking up half the kitchen counter. So the penthouse stayed bare. Neutral. Safe.
Those times were just memories now, though. Christmas was too hard without her mum, so Evelyn chose to skip it—and that was why she stood in her white and chrome penthouse with nary a bauble in sight.
Shaking her head, Evelyn set off to unpack the mountain of supplies shipped over for Bugs’ stay.
“Now, I know you have dog kibble, but how about we have a treat?”
Evelyn took Bug’s puppy eyes as a yes. Taking out two steaks from the fridge, Evelyn set about cooking them a feast of meat and maple-roasted vegetables.
“No one can complain, Bug. I’ve given you protein and veggies.” She mumbled to him. Bug hadn’t left Evelyn’s side since getting home.
With a glass of red wine poured and a bottle of dog beer emptied into a bowl, the duo sat in the living room to eat. For the first time since Evelyn’s mum had passed, she didn’t feel completely alone.
Richard had tried his best, but he was grieving, too. Maggie tried to be there for her, but the woman had her own life to deal with. And Mindy…well, Evelyn should have known that was doomed from the start because Mindy never made her feel supported, not in the way she needed.
For three years, Evelyn had been lonely. But the little dog, quietly munching on his steak, had turned that around in a matter of hours. Since the first time he absconded to her office, Evelyn felt that want of companionship sated.
There were no conversations to be had, just Bug’s presence. Evelyn was amazed at how intuitive he was. As if he could see all her feelings and know what she needed. Whether that was a break from work, in which case Bug would literally bug her until she stopped and petted him. Or when she was frustrated and Bug would whine at the window in her office until she joined him for a few calming minutes.
“Want to meet someone, Bug?” Maybe the third glass of wine was a mistake. Evelyn always got sentimental and emotional after too much vino.
Not waiting for the dog to answer—because she wasn’t that sozzled—Evelyn took out her photo albums from a box at the bottom of her wardrobe.
Bug wandered over to her as she sat on the floor, her back against the sofa. “This is my mum,” she mumbled.
