Page 53 of The Billionaire's Christmas Baby Surprise

“The boss? Who’s your boss?”

“He’s just arriving now.” The woman nodded out the front window, where a white van with the Bluebell Diner logo on the side was pulling into the parking lot.

“Thanks,” Billie said, but she was already distracted. Bluebell Diner. A boss who wanted to help. People who looked vaguely familiar. Was it possible that Max was the man in the van outside?

Billie’s heart began to beat faster, but she told herself to stay calm. This didn’t necessarily mean anything. Even if Max really had come to help, it was possible that he’d just wanted to take an opportunity for one more photo shoot or that he was trying to make up for walking out on her. It didn’t mean that anything had changed between them.

Billie made her way outside, more than a little nervous. On the way, she passed a smiling Stephanie, who was breaking down empty cardboard boxes that had been used to transport the gifts and food.

“Hey, Billie, nice to see you!” Stephanie said as she used a box cutter to rip through a strip of boxing tape.

“Nice to see you too,” Billie replied, a little confused. Stephanie had never really gotten her hands dirty and helped with the charity work before. It was nice to see, but it was more than a little puzzling, too. Her confusion grew when she spotted Jim Grayson talking to a woman around the same age, both of them wearing Sweetest Surprise T-shirts. She slipped past them.

Billie exited into the cold December air. Outside, the van door slid open, and Max hopped out. He was dressed in casual, comfortable clothes and, to Billie’s great surprise, he wore a Santa hat just like hers.

“Thanks for all your hard work today!” he called to someone in the van. “As a small bonus, I’d like to offer everyone who helped here today Monday off.”

“Thanks, boss!” came the reply from the front seat. Max waved before turning right into Billie. They both looked at each other for a long moment.

“Are you the kind volunteer who did all the deliveries this morning?” Billie asked.

“Along with a few of my charity-minded employees, yes.” Max stepped closer. “Is there somewhere we could talk?”

“Um, sure. We can go to my office.” Billie’s stomach turned. She wasn’t sure if it was pregnancy nausea or nerves. Trying to calm herself, she led Max through the lobby, past the volunteers, and up to her office. There, she leaned against her desk, arms crossed, as Max closed the door.

“Thank you for all your help with the deliveries,” Billie said. She bit her lip. “You really saved my life today. I wasn’t looking forward to doing everything while feeling nauseated.”

“You’re feeling nauseated?” Max looked concerned. “Do you want to sit? Do you want some water?”

Billie shook her head. “I’m fine now, but thank you. What did you want to talk to me about?”

“I wanted to apologize.” Max took a step closer. “I’m so sorry for how I reacted about the baby. It wasn’t right for me to walk out without talking to you.”

“Thank you for saying that. Um, and I got your child support check in the mail. I tore it up, though. I don’t need child support until there’s actually a child.”

Max smiled a little, though he quickly schooled his expression. “That sounds like you.”

Billie sighed. She felt a little teary. Max was here, so close, and apologizing. It was almost exactly what she’d imagined. Yet now, it just hurt, because she knew that, no matter how sorry Max was, he still wouldn’t want to be with her or be a real father to their baby.

“I appreciate your help,” she said again. “I really do. But I do still have a lot to do.”

“Billie, please, wait.” Max closed the distance between them and took her hands. “I know I messed up. Not just about the baby, but about our relationship. I was scared. I was scared to become a father and to fail our child. I was scared to try a real relationship with you and to let you down. All my life, I’ve been scared of messing things up and falling short.

“But I talked to my father yesterday, and he made me realize something. The biggest and worst way I could fall short is by not being there at all. I know that I’ve made mistakes, but I want to be a father to our baby. I want to be a partner to you.” Max raised his eyes to Billie’s. “If you’re willing to let me, I want to be a part of your life.”

Billie felt breathless. For a long moment, she didn’t know what to say. Max wanted to be with her. That was amazing — but what if it wasn’t enough?

“I’m so glad to hear you say that,” she replied. “But Max, how do I know you won’t walk out again when things get tough? Raising a baby isn’t easy. Being in a real relationship isn’t always easy. I can’t let you into my heart again if I don’t know whether I can count on you.”

“I won’t run away again.” Max shook his head. “The difference now is that I love you. I love our baby. And I want you to know how serious I am about you — both of you. That’s why I got you a small gift.”

Max let go of her hands and reached into his pocket. Inside was a small box wrapped in Christmas tree paper, which he handed to her. Billie took the gift and looked up at him. Her heart fluttered in her chest.

“Should I open it?”

“Yes.”

Billie slid away the wrapping paper, her hands shaking slightly from nerves, to reveal a ring box. Her eyes widened as she opened it. Inside, nestled on a piece of velvet, was a gorgeous engagement ring made of a glittering diamond set on a bandinlaid with snowflakes. Billie looked up from the ring to see that Max was on one knee.

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