I went inside, slipping into the host role for the party. I kept a close eye on the time, helping everyone gather their things and exit the hall. Then I monitored the cleaning crew, stepping in to clear the tables and remove trash.
It had been larger than our usual holiday parties, but it went off without any major snags. Everyone seemed happy, and at the end of the night, Frank and Sharon asked if they could use the room next year. He insisted on paying a rental fee for it, which I hadn't even figured out yet.
Renting the ballroom was another source of revenue I should be exploring, not thinking about a certain sexy single dad.
When the ballroom was finally locked up for the night, I drove to my cottage, which was on the property but separated from the town itself. I could drive to it or walk the nature paths to get into town. It was where one of the last owners lived. It gave me space from my job, but I was still close enough to handle anything that came up.
I changed into pajamas and turned on the gas fireplace in my bedroom, climbing under the blankets. I was warm and cozy. I should have been happy to be comfortable and done for the night. But it was almost too quiet. There was just the occasionalgust of wind against the house but no talking or laughing. No texts pinging my phone.
I was rarely alone. Instead, I fielded calls, emails, and participated in meetings with townspeople and visitors. It was disconcerting to be home and realize that everything felt off. Like I was missing something or someone.
The brief time I'd spent around Maddox and Sofia made me long for more. I wanted someone to come home to at the end of the night.
The pain was swift. My parents were gone. Now I just had my older sister. I was grateful for her, but it hit me that I'd lost a lot this year. I wouldn't own this town if it wasn't for my parents' death and my inheritance. The familiar guilt bubbled to the surface.
Why did my parents have to die for us to achieve our dreams? Would I ever have come home otherwise? Would I have been an event coordinator of a different town by now? I wasn't so sure about that.
Now that I was home, I was drawn to Maddox and Sofia, and it wasn't smart. Our relationship wasn't real, but I was starting to develop feelings.
It was getting late, but I pulled out my phone and read through my texts with Maddox. They were usually about the party and his daughter. We hadn't gone any deeper.
The exchange felt uneven. I was his pretend girlfriend, and what had I asked for in return? I needed to ask for something; otherwise, this thing would feel real, and I couldn't have that.
Eve: If I'm going to be your pretend girl, you should be Santa.
I wasn't expecting an answer right away. As a father, he was probably already in bed. So I was surprised when he responded immediately.
Maddox: I'm willing to talk about it.
Eve: When?
I preferred to discuss terms in person.
Maddox: What are you doing now?
Eve: I'm in bed.
Maddox: I suppose I can't convince you to come over now?
I was warm and cozy in my bed, but I didn't feel like I could fall asleep. Whenever I hosted parties, the adrenaline kept me up late.
Eve: I haven't been able to settle down and go to sleep.
Maddox: I'll make hot chocolate, and we can talk about your crazy plan.
I huffed out a laugh. This was nuts. But I was feeling lonely.
Eve: Okay.
It felt like anything was possible, and for once, I was doing something that felt good. I wasn't fulfilling an obligation or a deadline. I was helping out a single dad and his daughter. It had nothing to do with the fact that I was attracted to him.
Maddox: See you soon.
He couldn't leave because his daughter was asleep in the house. It made more sense for me to go there.
I turned off the fireplace. Then I pulled on a sweater, leggings, and boots before grabbing my warmest coat, hat, and gloves.
The whole drive over, I felt a little reckless. I'd never done anything like this before. I worked and went home at the end of the night to work some more. Occasionally, I'd meet someone for a drink, and it wouldn't pan out. I didn't have time to date, and no one had gotten me interested enough to even consider it. But this thing with Maddox was different.
