“We are. But there’s still the final paperwork. The handover meetings. And—” Evelyn’s voice softened. “—saying goodbye to all of this.”
Alyssa pulled her close. “It doesn’t have to be goodbye.”
“Doesn’t it?” Evelyn’s expression was unreadable. “The contract ends in seventy-two hours.”
“Contracts can be renegotiated.”
“Can they?”
“Evelyn.” Alyssa tilted her head. “Are you asking me if I want to continue working together?”
“I’m asking if you’d consider it.” Evelyn’s voice was careful, measured. “Not like this, obviously. Having dogs in the office full-time isn’t practical. But the staff have been enthusiastic. There’s been talk of continuing the partnership in some capacity. Quarterly adoption events, perhaps. Volunteer days at the sanctuary. Ongoing fundraising support.”
Alyssa felt something warm unfurl in her chest. “That sounds…actually quite sensible.”
“I know. Terrifying, isn’t it?” Evelyn’s smile was genuine now, unguarded. “I’ve already drafted a proposal for the board. Pending your approval, of course.”
“Of course.” Alyssa grinned. “I’d need to see the details, but yes. I’d consider it. More than consider it, actually.”
“Good.” Evelyn’s relief was visible. “Because I wasn’t quite ready to stop seeing you every day. Professionally speaking.”
“Professionally speaking?”
“Well, I suppose we’ve moved slightly beyond professional.”
“Slightly,” Alyssa agreed, her smile widening.
They stood there, close enough that Alyssa could count the freckles on Evelyn’s nose, could see the flecks of gold in her eyes.
“I should get back,” Alyssa said, not moving.
“You should,” Evelyn agreed, also not moving.
“People will talk.”
“Let them.”
Evelyn kissed her then, soft and unhurried, and for a moment the rest of the world fell away. No partnership deadlines, no contracts, no expectations. Just this. Just them.
When they finally pulled apart, Alyssa was grinning like an idiot. “You’re very distracting, you know that?”
“I’ve been told.”
They returned to the party hand in hand. The afternoon had mellowed into early evening, and someone had dimmed the lights and turned on the fairy lights. It gave the whole space a warm, golden glow.
Bug had fallen asleep in the corner, surrounded by a small pile of dogs who’d apparently decided he was the safest bet. Alyssa took a photo, knowing Lil would want evidence.
Sarah from HR approached, looking slightly nervous. She glanced at Evelyn, then back at Alyssa. “Can I tell you something?”
“Of course.”
Sarah hesitated. “This partnership—it saved me, actually. I was going to quit. Burnout, depression, the usual. Then I got paired with Maisie.” She gestured to a small terrier curled upnearby. “And suddenly I had a reason to come in. Something to look forward to.”
Alyssa felt her throat tighten. “I’m glad.”
“I just wanted you to know. What you’re doing—it matters. More than you probably realize.”
After Sarah left, Evelyn squeezed Alyssa’s hand. “See? You’re changing lives.”
