Free Live-In Position by V.S. Tice Page B

Less than three feet away, his eyes were again swirling limes. I swallowed hard, fought the welcoming seduction of his eyes, and found my resolve.
    “I got overheated with the oven being on for so long. I don’t roam your home half dressed.” Quickly, I went back to the cupcakes before I lost the little resistance I had found. I could’ve sworn he stepped closer. Close enough for me to feel the heat from his body and his breath against the back of my right shoulder. I didn’t dare look back. Then it was gone – the heat, the breath, and the buzzing tension. I finally released a breath in reprieve of his departure, using the cupcakes to distract me from over-thinking whatever had just occurred.
    After the party, I didn’t hesitate in my next suggestion, having been thoroughly disappointed in the Santa Claus the school had hired.
    “So, what do you say we go see the real Santa Claus? I thought it would be a nice way to start your winter break.”
    Her head snapped toward me.
    “The real one?” she contemplated. “That wasn’t the real –”
    “Heck, no, that was just a helper,” I smiled broadly.
    We drove to the department store in the mall. Once we parked, I helped her out of the car and we maneuvered through hundreds of shoppers to get in line.
    “He’s the real Santa?” Victoria looked up at him in awe.
    “Yep, he only makes it out on one special day and today’s it. That’s why we had to hurry to get here.” She turned back around, practically bouncing with excitement.
    When the elf approached Victoria, she got really shy and didn’t want to go with her. I grabbed her hand and we walked to Santa together. She hesitated to sit on his lap so I decided to show her how it was done.
    “See, Victoria, this is how you do it,” I sat down on Santa’s knee, and then gestured for Victoria to come over.
    She walked slowly but eventually climbed up on his other knee and whispered what she wanted for Christmas in his ear so I couldn’t hear. A picture was taken of us sitting on Santa’s lap.
    “Your turn,” she smiled.
    “My turn?” I raised my eyebrow.
    “Tell Santa what you want for Christmas.” She said it like I was stupid.
    “Oh…well…” I glanced at a chuckling Santa. “I want Victoria to get what she asked for.”
    Since I hadn’t heard a word from Dr. Bishop about Victoria’s holiday musical recital, I figured he wasn’t available, didn’t want to come, or would show up unexpectedly if he so desired. In my opinion he was an ass so I could care less either way. At least that’s what I said, though thoughts of him still nagged at the back of my mind.
    We picked out a red velvet dress and a white long sleeve button-up shirt with ruffles around the cuffs and collar for Victoria to wear. She had on white leggings and black Mary Jane’s. She looked positively adorable with her hair curled to perfect ringlets and a large black bow pinned to the side of her head.
    Victoria had to be there an hour before the recital began so we left at five-thirty. During the car ride, I could see her nerves starting to work on her. Once we arrived back stage, she clung tightly to me as the anxiety wreaked havoc on her tummy. I massaged small circles on her back and tried to calm her by telling jokes, but she just kept looking at me with widened eyes and a pale face.
    “It will be fine. You’re great, and you’ll show them how talented you are,” I encouraged.
    “I can’t do it,” she said in a strangled voice, shaking her head. “I can’t go out there in front of all of those people.”
    “Don’t be silly, Victoria, you can do it. You’re a Bishop.” Both of our heads snapped toward Allison heading toward us with quick steps. She knelt down next to Victoria. “You hold that head up high and go out there, okay?”
    Victoria’s fear filled her eyes with unshed tears.
    “There will be no crying. You will get out there and show them just how wonderful you are.” Allison smiled, but her tone was