Page 40 of The Wisdom of Bug

“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 wasnotturning 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.