Page 7 of The Billionaire's Christmas Baby Surprise

“No?” Max leaned forward and Billie caught another whiff of his aftershave. The table was small and, if he came a few inches closer, they could easily be touching. “Then what is this evening about?”

“Two people who had a bad day trying to have a better evening,” Billie said. It was a struggle to keep her voice even when Max was so near, but she was almost certain that she’d pulled it off.

“What makes you think I had a bad day?”

“Well, forgive me if I’m wrong, but you seem to be a man who cares about his company doing well and earning profits more than anything. And you were just forced to spend an evening away from your company talking about charities that you don’t find very interesting.”

“Insightful. There’s one thing you got wrong, though.”

“What’s that?”

“It isn’t that I don’t find your charity interesting. Everyone I spoke to tonight had a worthy cause to share. I just don’t believe that giving a little money to a charity, no matter how wonderful the charity is, will really make a difference.”

“You don’t?” Billie was surprised.

“I don’t. The problems in the world are just too big. If I give some money to an organization that helps dogs, some dogs have a better life, but there will still be wars and poverty and famine and hundreds of other dogs that don’t benefit. Nothing I do will change that.”

“That’s a really sad way to look at things.” Billie bit her lip. “Of course, I know that a few Christmas presents aren’t going to save the world, but they do mean a lot to the kids who get them. If wecan all do our parts, however big or small, I really think we can make the world a better place.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. I do believe you do good work.”

“I know. This just isn’t something that we’re going to agree on, I suppose. I just wish you could see the kids’ faces when they wake up on Christmas morning to presents under the tree and a feast on the table.”

“Maybe that would change my mind.” Max raised his glass to her. “Now, let’s go back to being two people who had a bad day trying to have a better evening.”

As if on cue, their mac and cheese arrived. Billie inhaled deeply and heard her stomach rumble. She really should have tried to eat more at the event.

As they ate, conversation slipped into easier topics. Billie learned that Max had lived in Denver his whole life, but that he frequently traveled to help open new branches of Bluebell Diner. Billie told him that she’d never actually eaten at a Bluebell Diner, which made Max’s eyes widen in horror.

“How is that possible? They’re everywhere.”

“When I was growing up, my family didn’t have much money to eat out, and as an adult, I don’t go to many restaurants. I usually just have something quick at home.”

“Now that’s a little sad. There’s something very special about going out for a meal.”

“Iamenjoying this dinner.” Billie nodded at the small pot of mac and cheese. “And I do meet friends or family to eat out sometimes — but I usually prefer to host or go to their homes.”

“I can see how that would be nice. Still. Come by Bluebell sometime. The original location is right here in downtown Denver. You can have dinner or breakfast on the house.”

“Thanks.” Billie took another forkful of mac and cheese. “And what should I try?”

“We have a nice breakfast-all-day menu,” Max told her. “If you like pancakes, bacon, and hash browns, you’ll love Bluebell.”

“Who doesn’t like pancakes, bacon, and hash browns?” Billie smiled. “I’ll have to try it sometime.”

But she knew she wouldn’t. As much as Billie was enjoying her evening with Max, as much as she felt a spark of chemistry between them beneath all the disagreements, she knew she wouldn’t see him again after tonight. They were just too different. They didn’t see eye to eye on anything — except perhaps breakfast food.

Yet, when they finished dinner, Max graciously insisting on paying the bill, Billie found that she wasn’t quite ready for the evening to end yet. So, when Max offered to walk her home, she accepted.

“It isn’t exactly a walk, though,” she admitted. “I live about an hour from here.”

“An hour?”

“On the bus.” She hooked her thumb at the bus stop across the street.

Without missing a beat, Max raised his hand to hail a cab. “It’s cold tonight, and the next bus might not be for a while. Let me treat us both to a nice warm cab ride.” As if by magic, a cabpulled over in front of them right away, and Max reached for the door handle.

“All right.” Billie let him open the door for her, but she felt a little bad. The bus was good enough for her on any other day. Still, she leaned forward to give her address as Max took a seat beside her and the cab glided forward.

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