Chapter 11 Guinness, Glutes, and Grumpy Snuggle Bugs #2
Alyssa hid her grin as Evelyn opened and closed her mouth several times before closing her laptop and grabbing her coat. The commute to the pub was short. Several coworkers joined them in the lobby and walked with them. Ideally, Alyssa wanted Evelyn alone, but tonight wasn’t the night for that.
The pub was busy, packed with office workers trying to shed the stress of the day.
The Crawford’s group had snagged a large table at the back of the pub.
Alyssa sat down and removed her jacket. She was ready for a cold beer.
Before she could utter a word, a pint of Guinness was placed in front of her. Josh leaned over and winked.
“Glad you made it,” he said. Then he realised Alyssa wasn’t alone. Evelyn was sitting there looking between them. “Oh, Ms Crawford, I didn’t see you there.”
“Hello, Josh,” Evelyn replied with an almost cold indifference.
“Would you like a drink?” Josh was stuttering; his face had flushed.
Alyssa couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I’ll have what she has, please.”
“On it.” Josh raced over to the bar.
Alyssa turned, amused. “Do all your employees react like that around you?”
“Of course not. Josh was just embarrassed because he wanted to sit here hitting on you all night and instead he gets to sit next to his boss.” Evelyn quirked her eyebrow, equally amused as Alyssa.
“Has he ever hit on you?” Alyssa didn’t know why she was asking. It was none of her business.
“Nope, everyone knows I’m gay.”
“So, what about female employees flirting then?”
“No, I was seeing someone and everyone knew. Crawford’s a gossip mill.”
“I’m sorry, was it a bad split?”
“Well, she cheated on me, but it’s fine?”
What sane woman would cheat on Evelyn Crawford?
“Here you go, Ms Crawford,” Josh panted, putting Evelyn’s drink down a little too hard, causing some of it to slosh over the top and onto her skirt. “Oh shit, I’m so sorry,” Josh spluttered.
“It’s fine,” Evelyn sighed, batting away his hand. “I’ll be right back.”
Should Alyssa go after her? Help her with the spill? No, that was stupid. Tonight was not turning out how she wanted. As much as she liked Josh and his assets, Alyssa really wanted to spend her time chatting with Evelyn.
“Crap, I can’t believe I just did that,” Josh mumbled, sitting in the seat Evelyn vacated.
“Stop worrying, Evelyn’s cool. It was an accident.”
“Yeah, but she’s the boss.” Josh shook his head, admonishing himself. “So, how was your day?”
Alyssa got lost in conversation with Josh, only realising that Evelyn hadn’t returned from the toilets a while later. Looking around the pub, she couldn’t see the woman anywhere. “Hey, Terry, did you see Evelyn?”
“Yeah, she left. Said something about needing a change of clothing or something.”
Damn it. Being sure Evelyn was gone for the night, Alyssa couldn’t hide her surprise when the CEO waltzed back in twenty minutes later in a pair of black jeans that clung to every inch of her legs and arse.
“Sorry about that, I just had to grab something dry to wear.”
Alyssa looked up at Evelyn, unable to speak. Evelyn looked back down at her and then at Josh. Her eyebrow rose slowly, and her eyes bored into his.
“Oh, do you want your seat back?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
Alyssa was in awe of the woman. Sleek and elegant. Powerful, yet soft. Commanding people with the arch of an eyebrow was amazing and very hot. Josh scuttled out of the seat. Unfortunately for him, the only other vacant spot was down at the other end of the table.
“I’ll…see you later then?” Josh mumbled. Alyssa offered him a little wave.
“Did I interrupt?” Evelyn asked, sitting down. Alyssa grew jealous of the pint Evelyn put to her lips.
“Not at all. We were just chatting.”
Evelyn nodded and wiped a bit of foam from her top lip. “So you said you had a bad day? Tell me.”
With her Guinness in hand, Alyssa walked Evelyn through her afternoon. It felt good to unload. Evelyn didn’t offer an opinion, she just sat and listened. She made Alyssa feel heard.
“Can I ask about Bug?” They had been quiet for several seconds after Alyssa finished ranting about her day.
“Of course. What do you want to know?”
“Well first, why Bug? I mean, it’s an odd name, don’t you think?”
Alyssa laughed. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard that said. “Bug is a perfect name for him. It sums him up.”
“What do you mean?”
“Okay, first, when he gets to know you and is comfortable, he is a massive snuggle bug. I’m talking world-class cuddler.
So that’s the first connection: Snuggle Bug.
Second, he was born a grumpy old man at Christmas.
He was never an overly excited puppy. He liked to just sleep and grumble anytime we tried to get him to walk or play.
So with him being a December baby and a miserable sausage, you can understand why we linked his Scrooge-like behaviour to his name.
You know Bah Humbug. Third, he is black and white.
Just like the hard-boiled sweet humbugs. ”
“I’m starting to see the pattern.” Evelyn laughed.
Alyssa smiled. Evelyn’s low, sultry laugh was outstanding.
“Last but not least, he bugs the crap out of me most days.”
“How?” Evelyn snickered.
“Bug has a few interesting habits and traits. I’m not going to tell you because I think it’s something you have to discover on your own. But! When you do, some of those traits will bug you. Even though he is totally adorable. That dog is special. Only the lucky get to really know him.”
“I hope I’m one of those lucky ones,” Evelyn sighed.
“You are. He hasn’t visited anyone else in the building since the day we arrived. Whether you like it or not, he’s made you his friend.”
“I like when he comes to my office.”
Alyssa wanted to reach out and cup Evelyn’s cheek. She was so sweet and almost shy as she spoke.
“Do you want to set up a time to visit the centre? We never got around to it.” Alyssa blurted.
“Really, you still want me to come?”
“Yeah, totally. I think it would be really good for you to see what we do. Especially if we work together in the future.”
“I’d love that.” Silence settled between them. Alyssa was very aware of Lil’s eyes drilling into her from across the table.
“Has Bug been with you since he was a baby?”
“Since he turned one. He was born on a working farm, but he was the runt of the litter and scared of gunshots. The farmer spent a few months trying to train him, then gave up and dumped him on my doorstep.”
“Poor boy.”
“Yeah. I thought he would get adopted quickly, but it never happened. For some reason, he always gets overlooked.”
“I don’t know how anyone could overlook him. Have you seen his face and those bloody sad eyes he makes when he wants something?”
Alyssa burst out laughing. “So you are getting to know his traits then, huh? That lad can manipulate the hardest of people. It’s a gift.”
“Could…?”
Alyssa waited for Evelyn to continue, but the CEO had become quite timid, her hand rubbing the back of her neck.
“Could?” Alyssa urged.
“Could I be his volunteer from now on? I mean officially. He spends his day with me anyway. Or maybe we could share him. You know, if I have a board meeting or something, then you could have him…but otherwise he can stay in the office with me?”
“Evelyn, that would be wonderful! Yes, yes, yes, of course you can be his volunteer.” At that moment, Alyssa knew something good was on the horizon. Whether it be for Bug or for her, she wasn’t sure, but she knew Evelyn Crawford was the key.