Page 76 of The Wisdom of Bug

“Smitten? Really?”

“If the goo-goo eyes fit! Yes, smitten. I don’t know her like you do, but that much is clear. If you gave it a chance, I think you could have something with that woman. Something great.”

“I’m going round for breakfast in the morning.”

“Okay. How did that come about?”

“I feel like an arsehole. Josh was the perfect date, but I just couldn’t stop thinking about Evelyn. I remembered her face when I told her I had a date. She was upset, even though she tried to play it off. And to be honest, I felt horrible telling her I was going out with someone else.”

“Okay, continue.”

“Josh was funny, charming, all the things I look for, but with Evelyn…I feel a connection, something deeper. After I said good night to Josh, my entire body was craving to see Evelyn.”

“Wow,” Lil puffed. “That’s new.”

“Yeah, tell me about it. We’ve been getting close for some time. After I told her about my date, she asked me out to dinner. I thought she wanted a friendly working lunch, but she clarifiedshe wanted it to be a proper date. I couldn’t get her off my mind after that. So I drove over to her place.”

“And how did that go?”

“Well, she gave me the best damn kiss of my life, Lil. I’m talking spine tingling, toe curling, clit throbbing good.”

“Jesus. Why has it taken us this long to get to the juicy part of your night? Bloody hell, Alyssa.”

Alyssa laughed. “You asked me to explain,” she mock whined.

“So why are you here and not doing unspeakable things to that lovely lady?”

“Because I want to do it right.”

“And how does that look to you? What’s your way of doing it, right?”

“Dating. Exclusively.” The clarity that washed over Alyssa was astounding. Why the bloody hell had she been so worried? Alyssa wanted Evelyn. Not just for a night or a few weeks.

“So go for it. Look, I’m not gonna get all psychoanalyse-y on you, but I think this should help. You’re not scared of commitment, you just think you don’t know how to do it right?”

Alyssa nodded in agreement. It’s true she’d never been in a relationship.

“But here’s the thing. Youdoknow. You have loads of relationships!”

“With who?”

“The dogs.”

Alyssa blinked slowly at Lil. Was she high?

“Don’t look at me like I’m nuts. Just listen. With your parents moving you about so much, you didn’t learn how to connect with people. Is that fair?”

“I suppose.”

“But you learned how to connect with your pets. The thing is, Alyssa, forming a bond and a relationship is the same,whether it’s an animal or human. Giving love, learning their traits and behaviours. Being compassionate, caring, and all that other gumpf.”

Squinting in concentration, Alyssa tried to see where Lil was coming from. “Alright, I think I get what you’re on about.”

“You know how to maintain a healthy relationship, Alyssa. So far it’s just been for your animals, but that can transfer to humans too. Hell, we’re in a committed friendship, right?”

“Of course.”

“So there you go. It will be the same with Evelyn except for all the hot sex.”