Chapter 22 #2
“Even if I was a bit of a bitch when we first met?” Evelyn’s eyes shone with vulnerability and doubt.
Alyssa chuckled. “Yes, even then. Anyway, I can be hard-headed. Lil says it’s because I’m an Aries.”
“You are fiery,” Evelyn smiled.
“I am, and that gets me into trouble sometimes. So, after talking to you and hanging out in your office, I knew you were different.”
“But you went out with Josh?”
“I did, and I feel bad about it. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great guy, but I only agreed to dinner because the feelings I had for you freaked me out a little bit.”
“But not now?”
Alyssa scooted closer to Evelyn on the couch. “They still scare me, but in a good way. The moment my dinner with Josh finished, all I wanted to do was see you. And then you kissed me and my world turned upside down. I wanted you so badly last night.”
“Me, too.”
“And then this morning…”
“Yeah.” Evelyn smiled, her cheeks tinted red.
“It was perfect, Evelyn. So much more than sex. I lost myself in you and that has never happened. But I was happy that it happened, happy I got lost in you.”
“I feel the same. It’s fast…we’ve only known each other a few weeks, but I am so drawn to you.
Not just your body, which is ridiculously sexy, but to your charm and kind nature.
I’m so turned on by your passion it’s unreal.
I think that’s why I overreacted this morning.
Our bubble was burst. It’s been a struggle these past few years.
There was no happy ending for me in sight.
Nothing will ever make my mum’s passing easier.
I don’t want you to think I’m trying to fill a void by being with you. ”
“I don’t think that, Evie.”
“Good. I also don’t want you to think I’m latching on to you because I’m lonely. I don’t put the responsibility of my happiness on you, Al.”
“I know that too, Evelyn. But I want to make you happy.”
“Our time together has made me very happy. For a long time, I’ve felt out of sorts. Nothing in my life seemed to line up. I’ve felt a disconnect. Then you waltzed into my office and boom!”
“Boom?”
“Yes, boom! Actually, I need to amend that.”
“Okay,” Alyssa chuckled.
“Bug broke into my office and boom! That little guy was the beginning. It’s because of him that you had to see me. It’s his wisdom,” Evelyn stated.
Alyssa grinned. “His wisdom?”
“Yes, he’s a special dog. He has this…God, I don’t even know how to describe it. That dog knows things.”
“And you think he knew we had to meet?” Alyssa asked with amusement.
“I mean, yeah. Think about it. He made a beeline for my office and refused to quit stalking me,” she laughed. “He knew I needed someone to show me how to relax. I lost count of how many times you came up to fetch him, only to find us looking out the window or sitting on the floor playing.”
“He’s very persistent,” Alyssa laughed.
“Exactly. He is wise. Bug gave me what I needed. He also made sure I kept seeing you. He knew what you needed, too.”
“And what is it you need, Evelyn?” Alyssa’s tone was husky. Her eyes had grown dark.
“I need you, Al.”
Alyssa might not be an expert in relationships, but she knew how she felt.
It didn’t matter that they’d only known each other for less than two months, or that they still had a lot to learn.
Wasn’t that a part of a relationship? Delving deeper, asking the hard questions, learning, exploring?
That quest never stopped, no matter how long a couple had been together.
So why should their limited time knowing one another be an issue?
Alyssa wanted to stick around, take her time unravelling Evelyn.
Coaxing out her secrets, gaining Evelyn’s trust. Being the one Evelyn relied on.
Just like Four Paws, Alyssa felt that undeniable need to give Evelyn her all, and she had a little black and white dog to thank for it.
“Can we do everything you wanted to do? Watch the movies and eat gingerbread?” Evelyn asked.
“I’d love nothing more,” Alyssa whispered, gently caressing Evelyn’s cheek.
“Maybe I could show you some pictures? Like I did Bug.”
Alyssa loved that Evelyn wanted to open up and share something so precious with her. “Yes, completely yes. Why don’t we get comfy? I’ll go make us some hot chocolate, because let’s face it: nothing compares to hot chocolate with marshmallows in it whilst snuggled down in front of a film.”
The smile that beamed from Evelyn’s face was blinding. Alyssa’s heart swelled. She’d brought that smile to Evelyn’s face, and she wanted to keep on doing it.
“Is that really your favourite Christmas film?” Evelyn asked.
“God yes, it’s like the best film ever. A Muppets Christmas Carol is 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?”
“Of course I am.” Evelyn stated. “The other thing that became strikingly clear is that I want you, Alyssa. I want you to be with me. At Christmas but also for all other Christmases. I know it’s fast and you might need time to adjust. I’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready.
I just need you to know that I’m all in. ”
Alyssa felt her eyes water. “Evelyn, I’m all in too. I don’t know what I’m doing, and I might completely suck at being your girlfriend, but I will try my utmost to give you everything you need. The sanctuary has been my everything for so long, but now I know I can share that space. Is that okay?”
“You wouldn’t be the woman I fell for if you didn’t put your everything into the things you love. I will never ask you for more than you can give. And maybe, in time, I can help more with Four Paws?”
“So we’re doing this?”
“Honey, we did this a long time ago. We just had to let our heads catch up to our hearts.”