Page 11 of The Billionaire's Christmas Baby Surprise

“Oh, wonderful. That Christmas gift charity. Perfect.”

“So, I just write a check?” Max asked.

“Here’s the problem.” Stephanie leaned forward. “A check isn’t going to cut it. It’s a good start, but the public needs to see you actually engaging with a charity. Giving your time. Being part of the cause.”

Oh, no. This was getting worse and worse. “So, you want me to work with Bil— Sweetest Surprise?”

“Exactly.”

“I’m not sure that the director will be very excited to work with me.”Not after we spent a passionate night together and then went our separate ways in the morning without even saying goodbye. Not when she knows that we disagree about charity, and that I’d only be there for the publicity.

Stephanie waved his concerns away with a flick of her manicured nails. “I can be very persuasive. I’ll call over this afternoon and work everything out.”

“Maybe it’s better if I speak to them in person.”

“Good idea.” Stephanie nodded slowly. “I’ll set an appointment for this morning and see if I can get a big check made up in time. A photo of you handing over a big check would be a great start.”

“No, I mean, I should speak to them and make sure that the organization is okay with this. It’s a lot to ask.”

“Hardly. Every charity needs funding, and publicity like what we’re offering will only bring in more funding, on top of the donation you make.”

“Still.” Max wasn’t budging on this. If he was going to drop back into Billie’s life uninvited, he needed to be the one to speak to her about it. He needed to make sure that she was okay with collaborating in a professional capacity with him. “Let me talk to them before we proceed.”

“All right.” Stephanie tapped on her tablet. “How about we go over together around eleven? I’ll get a check made up by then. How much are you willing to donate?”

“I’ll cover her Christmas program,” Max said. “I have a flier somewhere around here with the amount she needed. Actually, I’d like to give a little extra.”

“Good, good.” Stephanie nodded approvingly. “Nowyou’re getting it. I’ll track down the amount the organization needs and make sure the check covers that and a little more.” She got to her feet, and the rest of the team followed suit. “See you around ten thirty.”

They swept out, leaving Max alone in his office. He dropped his head into his hands. He knew already that this was going to be a disaster. A complete and total disaster. Billie wasn’t going to want to work with him. She might not even accept his donation if she had enough money for her Christmas program anyway.Which she probably did by now. Then Max would be scrambling to find a different charity that he was even less excited to work with.

In retrospect, Max wished he’d named a different cause. But Billie’s charity was the first that had popped into his mind — and if he were being honest, he did think that her Christmas gift program was worth supporting. He just hadn’t expected to actually have to ask to workwithher.

Max sighed and put the whole sticky situation out of his mind. He still had several hours until he needed to leave to meet Billie, with Stephanie at his side. In the meantime, he had work to do — work that was vital to the future of his company, instead of just good for his image.

For the next few hours, Max reviewed contracts and approved budgets and gave the go-ahead for a few last-minute details for the Colorado Springs branch of Bluebell Diner that was due to open in a few weeks. Usually, he was an expert at tuning out stresses from outside of work while he was in the office, but today he still found it hard to put Billie out of his mind. Would she agree to work with him? Would she accept his donation? Would she hate him for turning up at her place of work after the night they’d spent together?

In a matter of hours, Max would find out. And he had to admit, part of him was looking forward to seeing Billie again — even though he knew it wasn’t going to go well.

CHAPTER 7

BILLIE

Billie smoothed her sweater as she hurried down the stairs to the entryway where, apparently, Max was waiting. Sure enough, he was standing between the coat tree covered in children’s jackets and the bulletin board advertising community events. Max looked completely out of place here, in the outreach center. He wore a crisp tailored suit and looked every inch the consummate businessman, while Billie’s center had a homemade, low-budget feel. In her jeans and sweater, Billie was sure she had a homemade, low-budget look herself. Beside Max stood a tall woman in a suit and heels, who smiled at Billie when she entered.

“Welcome to the Sweetest Surprise Outreach Center,” Billie said in what she hoped was a cheerful and professional tone. “I’m Billie Stone, the director. What can I do for you?”

If it surprised Max that Billie was greeting him as though they didn’t really know each other, he didn’t let on.

“I’m Max Grayson, and I’m here today with my head of PR, Stephanie Adino. We’d like to speak with you about a potential funding opportunity,” Max said smoothly. Billie’s heart skippeda beat. A funding opportunity? Could this be the saving grace that Sweetest needed? Yet she tamped down her enthusiasm. There was no way to know if Max was actually planning to give her money and, if he was, how much he was willing to give.

Then there was the fact that Billie didn’t want Max here, in her space. The last time she had seen Max, he’d been holding her in his arms as they both drifted off to sleep. Just before she’d slipped into sleep, he’d kissed her, right on the edge of her hairline, and Billie had almost melted.

Then again, the evening leading up to that had been spent mostly bickering. It was clear that Max didn’t believe in the holidays or in charity — so what was he doing here, offering to give her money?

Billie stilled her thoughts and put on a professional smile. “How wonderful. Please, follow me.”

She led them up the stairs, past a confused-looking Barbara, and into her office.

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