I rolled my shoulders back to ease the tension. "He wants me to be less grumpy."
"And he thinks I can help with that?" Eve asked, her brow furrowed.
"Frank likes you," I said simply.
She chewed her bottom lip.
"I want to be fire chief, and I need to look and act the part. Right now, that feels impossible." Ever since Marla had died, I was just trying to survive. Every day was a chore I had to get through. I wasn't enjoying the time I got to live.
I had a feeling Marla wouldn't approve of the way I'd handled things. But then again, she wasn't here, and I was.
I had to figure out a way to go on, and I was doing the best I could.
CHAPTER 5
EVE
Spending time with Maddox in his home helped me to see under all that gruffness. I had a feeling it was masking grief.
I'd let his daughter win me over, but I couldn't forget that Maddox hadn't wanted to help me with the parade. He wanted nothing to do with me. This was something we had to do together, but when it was over, we could go our separate ways.
"Is there anything else we need to go over tonight? I need to get Sofia ready for bed."
"The main thing I needed is the guest count. I can handle everything else." There was no need for any more dinners at his home where his daughter charmed me with her sweet words and paintings. I was crazy for offering to spend more time with him.
All I wanted to do was escape back to my solitary life.
I shouldn't be offering to help Maddox with anything. I'd already done enough for him. I didn't need a fake boyfriend in my life. I'd just fall for his little girl, and then what? I'd be forced to walk away later. It was a ridiculous idea, and I didn't owe him anything else.
The fire department trucks would be in the parade, and they'd get their holiday party. We were even.
"I appreciate you going along with Frank's crazy idea for us to go to the dance together. Do you want me to pick you up?"
I wanted to create distance between us. I'd gotten too close too fast, and I didn't need a grump in my life. I prided myself on always being positive, willing to grow and learn, to adapt when I needed to.
Maddox was stuck in the past, and I wasn't going to be the one to pull him out of it. He had to do that on his own. "I have to make sure the party is running smoothly, so I'll meet you there."
It was the perfect excuse to treat this less like a date. "Drop Sofia off around one that day, and we'll take care of her. She'll be a princess in time for the party."
Maddox nodded. Then he called, "Sofia. Miss Eve is leaving."
The TV clicked off, and she came running down the hall, wrapping her arms around my waist. I wasn't expecting a hug. Maybe a reluctant wave but not this.
She hugged me tight, and I brought my arms around her back.
She pulled back. "We have to go over the desserts?"
"Why don't you meet me at Sweet Dreams, and I can show you what I was thinking, and you can taste the various options?" I was supposed to be creating distance with these two, but I couldn't seem to resist Sofia. This would be fun, and she needed more of that in her life.
"Can I go, Daddy?"
Maddox cleared his throat. "If you don't mind."
I smiled at Sofia. "Dessert is the most important part of any party."
Sofia's eyes lit up, and I wanted to keep making her do that. "I can set something up with Reina. She owns the bakery."
Sofia was vibrating with excitement.
