If that was the case, then I couldn't expect her to reach out and discuss the details with me. I was confident that she would do a good job. I was just worried that Frank was going to ask for an update and I wouldn't have one.
It felt like those group projects in school when you realized only one person was doing the work, and everyone was going to get credit for it unless someone told the teacher.
For the longest time, I felt comfortable pushing everyone away. I wanted to be alone. But having Eve in my house changed things slightly. I enjoyed her company and wanted to see more of her.
Even Sofia kept asking about when she'd be back or when she needed to do the dessert tasting. I finally gave into Sofia's requests and reached out to Eve myself.
Maddox: Sofia wanted to know when the dessert tasting was scheduled.
Eve: I'm sorry! I almost forgot about that.
Had she really? Eve struck me as a person who took notes from her notes. And I remembered her taking a lot of them in my kitchen. There was little chance she forgot to schedule something, unless she didn't want to do it.
Maddox: Sofia was looking forward to it, but don't feel like you have to do it. I know you're busy.
Busy avoiding us. It couldn't be fun hanging out with a widower and his daughter. We were depressing on a good day.
Eve: I'm texting Reina right now.
A few minutes later, Eve sent over possible dates, and I chose one on one of my days off. I could have sent her with my parents or even my brother, but I wanted to take her. I wanted to see Eve.
I had this desire to be near her, as if her positivity could rub off on me. She'd suffered a loss, albeit a different one, and hadn't given into the grief. She wasn't lost like we were. Maybe the more time I spent around her, the better I'd feel.
For the longest time, I hadn't wanted to feel better, but maybe now I did.
Maddox: Thanks for doing this. Sofia's excited.
Eve: Love that girl. She's the best.
My heart squeezed. It could have been an offhand comment. Maybe Eve was effusive with her affection. But I had a feeling that she'd truly bonded with my daughter.
That made me pause, because I couldn't have Sofia falling for someone who might not stick around. She was desperate for a mother figure and wouldn't understand that Eve didn't have to stay in our life. She could leave at any time.
There wouldn't be a reason for us to hang out after the dance. I needed to proceed with caution. On the way home from work, I stopped by my parents to pick up Sofia.
In the kitchen, Mom asked, "How are things going?"
"I'm planning the holiday party for our firehouse."
When my mom raised her brow, I was quick to add, "With Eve. She's the event planner at Christmas Town."
"It's so nice that her and her sister bought the town and are trying to revitalize it."
"They're doing a good job. At least from what I've heard. Eve's passionate about her work."
Mom raised a brow. "Is party planning time consuming?"
"We met once over dinner to discuss details, and Sofia is helping her with dessert tasting tomorrow."
"Sofia's excited about the taste testing. She seemed proud that Eve asked for her help."
I sighed. "I'm not making a mistake in letting her get close to Eve, am I?"
Mom frowned. "Are you dating her?"
I scoffed. "Of course not. We're just working together. But they seemed to have bonded."
"Your worried that she's looking for a mother figure, and you don't have any intention of dating this woman?"
