Page 20 of The Billionaire's Christmas Baby Surprise

“No, thankyou. I’ll see you for the next photo opportunity.”

“I’ll look forward to it.” Max grinned and headed out. Billie took the chance to pick up a few things she needed for her apartment, then bought the alpaca and her supplies and made her way home. She stopped at the outreach center first to drop off the Sunshine Sparkle Alpaca with the rest of the gifts, and, as she did, she smiled down at it. The alpaca was proof that, despite his prickly exterior and general dislike of all things holiday-related, Max actually cared. Maybe there was more to him than the wealthy jerk who’d refused to do a good job on the Christmas tree.

Despite her misgivings, Billie had enjoyed her afternoon with Max. It had been fun goofing around with him in the toy aisle and hunting down the elusive alpaca. Maybe the rest of the photo opportunities she’d agreed to wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Billie went home with a smile on her lips and a happy holiday warmth in her heart. She had the funding she needed, and Max was less of a jerk than she’d thought. Better still, she had the Christmas presents the kids had asked for. Things were looking up.

CHAPTER 10

MAX

Max added his signature to a few documents for the new Colorado Springs branch, humming under his breath as he did so. To his surprise, he realized that he was humming a Christmas song, “Jingle Bells.”He was almost certain that this was the first time in his life that he’d ever hummed a Christmas song.

Clearly, Billie was having a festive influence on him. And if Max were being honest, he was enjoying the time he spent with her. Shopping for gifts the day before had been fun — more fun than he’d expected. Billie was a really special woman, and Max was looking forward to spending more time with her. The next scheduled event wasn’t until the following week, when they’d deliver gifts to children in a local hospital, but Max was already looking forward to it.

He checked his watch. It was just after six p.m. on a Monday evening and, although he normally would have stayed at the office until well past eight, he didn’t feel like he could focus any longer today.

As if on cue, his phone beeped with a message. Max turned it over to see a text from Billie.

Hey. Need some help wrapping presents. No cameras, but are you in?

Without hesitating, Max replied,Sure. Now?

Yes, at the outreach center. See you soon.

Well, Max had been wanting to leave anyway, and here was the excuse he needed. He packed up and headed out, ignoring his employees’ startled looks at the fact that he was leaving so early. The outreach center was a bit of a drive, but Max didn’t mind. He enjoyed having the time to think and listen to the radio, although he chose a classic rock station instead of Christmas songs.

When he arrived at the outreach center, he found that it was full of kids. They seemed to be heading out after their afterschool program, based on the way they were all tugging on jackets and calling out excitedly to each other. Max wondered if Eloise, the little girl who wanted a charity donation instead of a present, was here today. Perhaps one of these children was even Josefina, the girl who so badly wanted a Sunshine Sparkle Alpaca.

Max threaded between the kids and made his way to Billie’s office. She was sitting on the floor, surrounded by gift bags, wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, and tape. About a quarter of the gifts had been neatly wrapped, while the rest waited for their turn.

“Max!” Billie looked up and grinned. Today, she wore a red dress and tights and looked very Christmassy. “You made it. I’ll try to pretend I’m not surprised.”

“For both our sakes, I think that’s a good idea.” Max surveyed the wrapping-paper piles. “How can I help?”

“Have a seat. You can choose the floor or the desk.”

“You’re on the floor, so I’ll join you.” Max lowered himself to the ground and picked up an action figure. “So, we just wrap these up?”

“Yep. Although you might want to start with one of the boxes. They’re a bit easier.”

“I’m sure I can handle this.” Max unspooled a length of wrapping paper and cut it neatly with the scissors Billie handed him. “Although I’m pleased you thought of me, I have to ask — why am I here, instead of one of your other volunteers or your employees?”

“They’ve all been working hard lately, and I figured you’d enjoy a chance to pitch in.” Billie winked. “Can you pass me that bow?”

Max looked over his shoulder at a row of bows ranging from crisp white to bright tie-dye. “Which one?”

“The yellow, please.”

Max handed the bow to Billie, who stuck it on top of a beautifully wrapped box. Meanwhile, Max wrapped the paper he’d cut around the action figure, tucked in the flaps, and used a long piece of tape to secure the sides in place. He added a few more pieces of tape to the top and sides of the figure, where small pieces of wrapping paper were threatening to peel away. Satisfied, he held up the action figure to examine his work.

Immediately, Billie burst into laughter. Max glanced at her, then looked at the action figure again. Despite himself, he began to chuckle as well.

“It looks like you tried to wrap that with your feet,” Billie giggled. “In the dark. In a windstorm.”

“Hey, it isn’t that bad!” Max held up the action figure by the top piece of the wrapping paper. As if to contradict his point, the bottom part of the wrapping paper gave way, and the action figure slid out and landed on the floor with a hollow bounce. They both burst into laughter again.

“Okay,” Max said, once he was able to talk again. “You’re right, that may not have been my best work.”

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