I led her onto the dance floor. When we were alone again, I said, "I haven't been as grumpy lately."
She sighed. "I suppose not."
There was a moment where she looked at me, and I thought it felt like she might actually like me, not just see me as a pretend date. The thought made me panic slightly. "But I still don't want to be Santa."
She huffed out a laugh. "Of course you don't."
"Maybe I could be persuaded though."
"Oh, yeah, and how can I do that?"
I twirled her away from me, and when she came back to my arms, I said, "I'm still working on that part."
Eve looked over at Frank. "He's watching us."
"It's good that we look the part." This wasn't a real date. Eve was here out of an obligation. She'd struck a deal to get the fire trucks in her parade, and she always got what she wanted. If I thought of her as someone who worked deals, then I wouldn't be inclined to fall for her.
If I thought about the situation logically, she'd shown up at the fire department in a red dress and with muffins. She wanted to win everyone over, including me. It might not have worked with me then, but it was now.
She was holding up her part of the bargain so that I could get what I wanted. I couldn't let my heart soften for her. At the end of the day, it was just me and Sofia.
Sofia came over then. "Can I have dessert?"
"In a bit. Why don't you dance with me?" I asked, needing space from Eve before I started getting ideas.
Eve moved off to the side, and Sofia held her hands up to me. I showed her the proper dance position and led her around the floor. A few people smiled at Sofia, probably thinking she was cute.
I wondered if anyone was thinking about Marla not being here, or was it just me? In reality, Sofia and I were very much alone. I didn't have anyone to talk to at the end of the night about my hopes and dreams or my worst fear, that I was screwing everything up.
My gaze lifted, finding Eve watching us. She wasn't looking for a relationship, and I shouldn't be either. Sofia was my top priority. It was hard to remember that when Eve was looking at me like she wanted to take me home at the end of the night.
When the song ended, Sofia led me over to the dessert table to show off her selections to me. I helped her plate a slice of cake and took it to a table for her to eat.
Frank sat with us. "Miss Sofia, you look so pretty today."
"Why, thank you," Sofia said as she took a bite of chocolate, crumbs falling on her skirt.
She might look grown up, but she was still young.
A little girl ran over to Sofia. "Come play with us."
At my nod, she left with her.
"You know, some people on the town council are here tonight, and they're pleased to see you with Eve. They like you together."
"What are you saying, Frank?" Suddenly the space between my shoulder blades was tight with tension.
"It wouldn't hurt if you were seeing Eve for real. It makes you look like you're feeling good and ready to take on the job."
"I'm feeling...better." I couldn't saygood.
"I think it has something to do with Eve."
I followed his gaze to Eve, where she was talking to Sofia and a few other girls. I'm sure she was winning them over like she did everyone. She was a princess in her own right.
"You might be right about that."
"She's good for you."
