Chapter 18
Wine, Photos, and Finally
Evelyn
The middle of December arrived with a flurry of snow and biting, ice-cold wind. Of course, the British government went into meltdown, causing more trouble than the weather itself.
Although inundated with work, Evelyn was making a conscious effort to relax. All thanks to Alyssa and Bug.
“Hey, Evie,” Alyssa called, walking into her office and plonking herself on the sofa.
“Hey, yourself. Good day?”
“Yeah, um, I actually came in to ask you a favour.”
“Okay, shoot.” Evelyn placed her fountain pen on the desk and waited. Why was Alyssa looking uncomfortable?
“So, um, you know the dogs are having their sleepovers tonight?” Evelyn nodded.
Alyssa had granted most volunteers a night with their dogs.
The ones she felt weren’t ready for that were being treated to a sleepover with members of the Four Paws team.
Bug was staying with Alyssa because Evelyn hadn’t been sure she would be available to have him overnight.
“Yeah, everything okay? No issues, I hope.”
“Um, no, not really. It’s just…well, I was wondering if you could have Bug. I know you said you weren’t sure if you were free, so it’s totally cool if you can’t.”
“I can. I was going to ask you about it today, actually. I thought I would have to stay out of town, but the meeting got cancelled last minute.”
“Oh great, thanks.”
Evelyn smiled, warmth spreading through her chest at the thought of an evening with Bug. “Is there an emergency at the centre?”
“No, um…I have a date with Josh and…um, with everything being so busy lately, tonight is the only free time we have.”
What the fuck?
A chorus of those three words played on repeat in Evelyn’s head. Alyssa was going out on a date with Josh? The security guy Josh? The same Josh who’d thrown Guinness over Evelyn’s lap at the pub?
Evelyn felt like the floor had dropped out from under her. Like she’d completely misread everything.
They’d spent hours together. The party planning, the baking night, the walks with Bug where they’d talked until the cold drove them inside.
The way Alyssa’s hand had lingered on hers when she was teaching her to knead dough.
The looks that lasted just a beat too long.
The almost-kiss that Evelyn had been replaying in her mind for days, wondering if she’d imagined the heat between them.
Apparently she had.
God, she felt foolish. Stupidly, embarrassingly foolish. She’d been building this up in her head, convincing herself that something was happening between them, that Alyssa felt it too. She’d been working up the courage to ask her out properly, to make her intentions clear.
But of course Alyssa was dating. Hadn’t she said she didn’t do relationships? That she kept things casual? Evelyn had heard her, had even understood it at the time. But then they’d grown so close, and Evelyn had let herself hope that maybe, just maybe, she was different.
What an idiot she’d been.
“Evelyn?” Alyssa’s voice cut through her spiralling thoughts. “Is that okay? I can find someone else if—”
“No, it’s fine,” Evelyn said quickly, forcing her face into what she hoped was a neutral expression. “Of course I’ll take Bug. Have a lovely time.”
There, that sounded alright, right?
The words tasted like ash in her mouth.
How idiotic are you? Falling for her, when you didn’t stand a chance of keeping her.
“You’re…you’re sure you don’t mind?”
“Nope, you enjoy your date with…Josh.”
“Great…well, thanks.”
An awkward silence descended. Evelyn wanted the floor to open up and swallow her. Could she fire Josh?
No, stop it Evie, don’t be ridiculous.
“Well, I um…I should get on.” Evelyn picked up her fountain pen and gave a mock salute, then wanted to die of embarrassment. Because who does that? Alyssa gave her a tight smile, waved, and left. After all the time spent together, how had they taken such a step back?
“What the hell was that?” Maggie bawled, rushing into the room, her face flustered.
“Sorry what?” Evelyn didn’t have time to decrypt whatever Maggie was banging on about.
“That?” Maggie shouted, pointing to the door.
“Do you mean Alyssa?”
“Of course I bloody do. What are you playing at?”
“Maggie, can you stop yelling and start explaining what you’re yapping on about?”
“Evelyn. That woman just told you she’s going on a date with someone else and you did absolutely nothing!”
“Why would I do anything?”
Maggie shook her head. “Don’t give me that nonsense. Anyone with two eyes can see you pair have been flirting up a treat. I thought you would have gone out with each other by now.”
“Maggie, give me a break. We’ve had to work close together, that’s—”
“Enough, Evie. Enough. Why can’t you just admit you fancy the pants off her? Hell, I kind of do. She’s smokin’.”
Could this day get any worse? Hearing Maggie from Croydon say smokin’ was just too much for one day.
“Listen, Alyssa can date who she likes. She doesn’t do serious, so what’s the point? I want more than a weekend shag.”
“Maybe she hasn’t been given a good enough offer in the past. You could be that offer. Look, I’m not saying you have to go full lesbian cliché. You can keep your U-Haul parked for now. I’m just saying that asking the girl out would be a good start. Give her the choice, you know?”
“You’re full of opinions lately, aren’t you?”
“I’ve always been full of opinions. Doesn’t make me wrong. Come on Evie, grow some bloody ovaries and ask that sexy minx out.”
The dam broke inside Evelyn. Alyssa was sexy, she was kind, and Evelyn had wanted to be more than friends from the beginning. What was she playing at? Why was she letting Alyssa get away?
“Oh, sod it. What have I got to lose, right?”
“That’s the spirit. I’m going to get her back.
” Once again, Evelyn didn’t have a chance to reply.
Maggie zipped out of the room like her bum was on fire.
Rolling her neck and shoulders, Evelyn prepared for what she thought would be humiliating rejection.
Surely if Alyssa wanted more than friendship, she’d have asked Evelyn out already.
It’s not like Alyssa was shy or anything.
Evelyn almost jumped out of her skin when Alyssa spoke. She’d been so lost in her head she didn’t see her enter the office.
“Hey, Maggie said you needed me.”
Evelyn’s heart drummed, her palms sweaty. “Hi, yes. Right.”
Excellent start, Evelyn, top-notch!
“Sorry,” she mumbled, taking a gulp of cold coffee. “Alyssa, would you have dinner with me?”
“Sure, when? I can grab takeout on Monday if you like.”
“I mean a date, Alyssa, not an office dinner.”
“A date?” Alyssa squeaked.
Oh, crap, had Evelyn made a terrible mistake and ruined their friendship? Why didn’t she think of the repercussions of being rejected? How could they stay friends? That would be way too uncomfortable. Bollocks!
“Yeah, yes, a date. I can cook, or we could go to a restaurant. Or I could drive to Four Paws, so you’re close by in case of an emergency. Whatever.”
Shut up, you rambling pillock!
“Yes. To the date,” Alyssa stuttered.
Evelyn smiled brightly. She’d said yes! But she also said yes to Josh, so don’t get too excited Ev.
“Okay, great, we’ll chat about it then. Soon.” Evelyn gripped her pen, needing to channel her excitement into something that wasn’t a happy dance.
“Okay.” Alyssa smiled, her cheeks a little red.
Evelyn was a grown woman and yet she felt like a spotty tween who had just spoken to her first crush. Good Lord.
“Okay, so I’ll see you soon. Don’t worry about Bug, he’s going to have a great time with me.”
“I know he will. That dog adores you.” They smiled sweetly at each other. “I’m gonna…” Alyssa said, hooking her thumb over her shoulder.
“Good night, Alyssa.” Whoa, that sounded way too sultry.
Tone it down, Romeo.
As much as Evelyn hated saying good night to Alyssa, knowing she was off to get wined and dined by someone else, Evelyn couldn’t stop the ember of hope growing in her belly. She also couldn’t help watching Alyssa’s lovely derriere leave the office. Hot damn.
Unsurprisingly, Maggie blew back into the room, sporting a grin as wide as the River Thames. “Nice one, Evie! Very well handled.”
Evelyn laughed. “I think we need to have a chat about eavesdropping on my conversations, Mags.”
“Don’t be silly. Now, what’s the plan? Posh restaurant? River cruise?”
“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. I literally have 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 felt wonderful to spoil her little friend. He deserved it for being so caring.