“God yes, it’s like the best film ever.A Muppets Christmas Carolis Christmas for me. Didn’t you like it?”
“I love it. It’s my favourite, too. I’ve never met anyone else who felt the same way.”
“It’s Bug’s favourite, too!”
“It is not. Don’t play daft.”
Alyssa shot up in her seat. “I swear it. Last year Bug spent Christmas Eve with me and we sat and watched it. That dog’s face never looked away from the screen. I think he felt a connection to Michael Caine’s character.”
Evelyn’s laugh rang through the room. “You silly sod.”
“I swear it. Cross my heart. Bug recognised a kindred spirit.” Alyssa nodded with finality. “Speaking of Bug…” The bedsheets in the spare room Alyssa had glanced that morning popped into her head.
“What about him?” Evelyn asked, her hand stroking Alyssa’s thigh absentmindedly.
“Evelyn, did you buy a new duvet set for Bug?”
Bingo! Evelyn’s hand stilled, and a red flush washed across her face. “Well…I mean, he needed somewhere to sleep, and I have a spare room.”
“So you bought him a dog bone bed set?” Alyssa asked, trying to keep the grin from her face.
“I…I wanted him to feel welcome.”
She was just too fucking adorable for Alyssa to handle. “Come here,” she whispered, claiming Evelyn’s face with her hands. Their lips met softly, but there was an intensity that drove the kiss deeper. Alyssa wanted to consume this adorable, sweet woman.
Alyssa rolled over, expecting to find the warm, naked body of Evelyn next to her. What she found was an empty space, chilled by the night air.
They’d spent hours talking, watching movies, eating and drinking. Then they spent hours exploring each other. First on the rug in front of the fire, then on the dining room table, and finally in Evelyn’s king-sized bed. Bug had taken himself to his room by nine. It still tickled Alyssa that Evelyn had set up an entire bedroom for her four-legged friend.
Now, with only the soft moonlight spilling in through the blinds, Alyssa lay sated, yet a little worried. What if Evelyn was regretting everything they’d divulged to each other? Why wasn’t she in bed, tucked into Alyssa? These were the things that Alyssa wasn’t used to worrying about.
Stretching out her limbs, she crawled out of bed, threw on her t-shirt and set off in search of Evelyn. The twinkling of the Christmas tree lights cast a magical glow around the living room. Alyssa leaned against the wall, taking in Evelyn, who sat on the floor cross-legged, staring up at the tree. She looked so peaceful. Alyssa didn’t want to disturb her, but she also wanted to make sure she was okay.
“Hey,” she said softly. Evelyn turned her head, smiling.
“Sorry, did I wake you?”
“No…well, your absence did. Everything good?”
“Everything is wonderful. Come, sit down with me.”
Alyssa strolled over and lowered herself to the floor. “It’s so pretty.”
“Yeah. My favourite thing as a kid was to sit and stare at the lights. I loved to look at all the different decorations. I also loved stealing the little chocolates off the branches when mum and dad weren’t looking,” she said with a cute giggle. “I woke up and felt this urge to sit here.”
“Is there something on your mind?”
“Just how much lighter I feel. I know I had a bit of a wobble yesterday, but I think I needed it. I needed you and Bug. Everything seems clearer to me now.”
“Tell me,” Alyssa said, linking her fingers with Evelyn’s.
“I’m going to tell my dad that I want to step down as CEO. I love the company but not the job. Ever since Mum died, I’ve thrown myself into work, trying to prove my loyalty to the thing she loved and built. I can’t keep on doing that, and I know she wouldn’t want me to. She also wouldn’t want me shutting myself away, especially at Christmas. I’m doing her a disservice ignoring it. You helped me see that by doing all this,” Evelyn waved around her room. “I also wanted to talk to you about Bug. I know you’re not letting the dogs get adopted until January, but I want to put my hat in the ring for when it’s time.”
“He’s yours, Evelyn. Bug chose you from the start.”
“Then I need to get some more things in for him. Another bed cover.”
Alyssa chuckled. “Are you seriously giving him an entire bedroom?”
