CHAPTER 8
MADDOX
Iordered my coffee to go and went to the flower shop to order a bouquet for Sofia and one for Eve. I didn't know what color Eve was wearing, so I bought white for both of them. Then I headed home to shower and dig my suit out of the back of my closet.
I carefully avoided the one I'd worn to Marla's funeral. I wasn't sure I'd ever wear that one again. The one I chose, I reserved for interviews and holiday parties.
The thought of going on a date, even if it was prearranged, made me feel off-kilter. I wasn't supposed to be dating again so soon, if ever. What would everyone else think?
Eve sent me pictures of Sofia's hair, but not the full picture of her in her dress. When I asked, she said I'd have to wait to see her in person.
I went back and forth from guilt to excitement. I reminded myself that this night was for Sofia. She deserved an evening where she could just let go and have fun.
Vowing not to worry about what anyone else would think, I got dressed and grabbed my keys. Then I drove to Christmas Town for the second time. It was weird to be home and not haveSofia filling up the silence with her chatter and questions. But it was nice to have some time to myself.
The only problem was, it gave me too much time to think about what I was doing. I shouldn't be looking forward to seeing how Eve looked in a gown or whether she'd feel like this was a real date.
Feeling off, and very much like the grump Frank accused me of being, I parked the truck and followed the other partygoers into the inn. There was a sign in the lobby indicating that we should go down the hall to the ballroom. But Eve told me to meet them at the bottom of the grand staircase.
I texted her to let her know that I was sitting in the great room to avoid the steady stream of people walking by. I set the flowers next to me on the couch and scrolled mindlessly on my phone, not really reading anything.
"Maddox. Why are you here and not in the ballroom?"
I lifted my head to find Frank and his wife, Sharon. Standing, I held out my hand to him. "I'm waiting on my dates."
He raised a brow.
"Eve and Sofia."
"Did Sofia do the princess package? I saw that online and thought it was a cute idea," Sharon said.
I nodded. "I'm not allowed to see the full look until they come down the stairs."
"How sweet," Sharon said with a smile.
"I'm glad to see you have a date tonight, Maddox."
I raised a brow. "You arranged it for me."
Frank leveled me with a knowing look. "I wasn't sure if you'd go along with it. I'm glad to see that you did."
I skipped over his comment. "Eve did a great job with the event. I think you'll be pleased."
"She really came through for us. We would have had to cancel if we didn't find a hall in time," Frank said.
Sharon gestured with her hands. "It's not just a hall. It's a historic inn with a ballroom. I hope we can host the party here every year."
"Well, Eve is doing us a favor. We didn't have to pay for the space."
Frank nodded. "In exchange for a few fire trucks in the parade. Speaking of which, we need someone to be Santa."
My jaw tightened as my phone buzzed with a message. "Eve is on her way down. I need to wait for her."
"How romantic," Sharon murmured, and Frank said, "We'll see you inside."
I waited for them to head down the hall before moving closer to the stairs.
Frank seemed pleased with me and the party. After tonight, I could breathe easy, knowing that I was in line for the promotion. I'd done everything he'd asked of me. I was meeting with the therapist, trying to be less grumpy, and hosting the party for the department.
