7. Billie
CHAPTER 7
BILLIE
B illie 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 skipped a 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.
“Please, have a seat. Can I offer you some coffee?”
“Yes, please,” Max said, while Stephanie politely declined. Billie went to the coffeemaker, which groaned with displeasure at being forced into service when it was old and falling apart, and prepared a cup of coffee.
“Milk and sugar?” she asked.
“No, just black.”
Billie should have known. A man who didn’t like the holidays probably wanted little sweetness in his life. She set the cup in front of Max and circled her desk to her chair.
“So, you wanted to discuss a potential funding opportunity?”
“Yes.” Stephanie spoke up. “We’d like to partner with you to fund your Christmas gift-giving program. It’s essential that kids in Africa get their gifts.”
“In Denver,” Billie said.
“Sorry?”
“The gift-giving program is for children here, in Denver.”
“Right.” Stephanie didn’t miss a beat. “Of course. We’d like to fund your Christmas gift-giving program so that children in Denver get their gifts. I have a photographer and a big check with the full amount you need, plus a little extra, waiting downstairs.”
But to her own surprise, Billie found herself shaking her head.
“I’m sorry, Stephanie, but I don’t think I can accept this.”
“Why not?” Stephanie looked shocked.
“It’s clear that this is just a photo opportunity for you,” Billie said. “You don’t even know what Sweetest Surprise does. I want to work with funders who believe in the cause.”
What are you doing? the voice of reason inside Billie’s head begged. The kids need this money. Just take it.
“Can I speak with Billie for a few minutes?” Max asked.
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?” Stephanie asked, but Max was already ushering her towards the door.
“I just need five minutes.” Max closed the door behind her and turned back to Billie. “Sorry about that.”
“Why?” Billie crossed her arms. “She just said the same thing you did, more or less. You showed up for the event last week to get a photo op, and now you’re here for another. You don’t care about my charity any more than she does.”
“Maybe not,” Max admitted. “But if it makes you feel any better, I’m just as unhappy about the photo op as you are. I don’t see why we should spend our time posing for photos when there’s real work to be done.”
“I guess we can agree on that.”
Max sat back down and leaned towards her. His blue eyes were bright.
“We can. Listen, Billie. My PR team suggested that I work with a charity as something of a PR stunt. That much is true. I was opposed to it, but they brought me around, and I decided that if I had to do this, I might as well actually fund someone who deserves it. If you already have enough money for your Christmas program, though, we’ll leave.”
Billie bit her lip. She didn’t have the money. Although… “Did you say work with a charity? I thought this was just about a donation.”
Max winced. “As well as the check, they’d like me to be seen helping out with your work.”
“What?” Billie threw her hands in the air. “Come on, Max. How would you feel if I came to your place of business and asked to work with you?”
“You take on holiday volunteers,” Max pointed out. “I’m sure I have the skills to help out like any other volunteer would. Listen, neither of us want this to turn into a big thing. I’ll give you all the money you need. I’ll show up, take a few pictures, and get out of your hair.”
“That isn’t going to cut it.” Billie folded her arms again and raised her eyebrows in a challenge. “If this is so important to you, then you really have to do it. I expect you to show up when I tell you to and actually help with my projects. You have to stay beyond the photo opportunity. You have to actually see the kids we help.”
“Does that mean you’ll accept our partnership?”
Billie thought of all the kids who needed presents for Christmas. She thought of all the parents who so desperately wanted to give their children a magical visit from Santa Claus but who wouldn’t be able to pull it off without her help. She thought of all the people who deserved a little Christmas magic. This was about so much more than just Billie and her confusion after their night together.
“Fine. I accept.”
Max grinned his honey-slow grin again, and Billie quickly raised a hand. “But just to be clear, this is a professional partnership.”
“I completely agree.” Max raised his hand in a Boy Scout salute. “I promise that we’ll keep things professional. And I promise I’ll show up and do what you tell me. Stephanie tells me that I need a picture of me handing you the big check, plus two or three more appearances.”
“Fine. And I expect you to show up punctually and ready to work, just as I would expect of any of my volunteers.” And to keep that knee-weakening smile to yourself.
“Of course.” Max extended a hand to her across the table. “Billie Stone, it looks like we’re in business.”
Billie shook his hand and tried to convince herself that she wasn’t making a huge mistake. She also tried to ignore the feeling of Max’s warm, slightly rough palm against hers and the memories the contact brought back.
“Shall we go downstairs for the check exchange?” Max asked.
“I suppose.”
“That’s the spirit.” Max winked and they both stood. Outside the office door, Stephanie was waiting, her phone in her hand. She straightened at the sight of them.
“We’re in business,” Max told her. “Your plan to redo my image is a go.”
“Thank you for agreeing to this, Ms. Stone,” Stephanie said.
“Sure.” Billie tried for a pleasant smile but was almost certain that she’d fallen short. “Please, call me Billie.”
“Shall we head downstairs? I have the check in the car outside.”
Sure enough, a few minutes later, they were standing in Sweetest Surprise’s entryway with a check so large that Billie couldn’t have touched both ends with outstretched arms. A photographer appeared from somewhere outside — perhaps Stephanie had stashed him in the car as well — and motioned for Billie and Max to stand closer together.
“Can we get some kids in the picture?” Stephanie asked.
“Sorry, it’s the middle of the school day. We don’t have any kids on the premises at the moment,” Billie said.
“Whose are these, then?” Stephanie asked, gesturing to a coat rack filled with small jackets.
“Those are some of our spare clothes for kids who might need them.” Billie tried to keep her tone even. This was going to be very frustrating.
“All right, let’s get a move on,” Max said briskly. “As much as I’d love to pose for photos all day, I do have actual work to do.”
“Right. Max, hand her the check, and Billie, look excited and grateful.”
Billie smiled in what she hoped was an excited and grateful expression and pretended to accept the check. As she looked down at it, she noticed for the first time the amount written on the pay line, and her mouth dropped open. This was enough to cover the Christmas program and more. Sweetest Surprise should be fully in the green through summer with funding like this.
The photographer snapped a photo and, when Billie later saw it, she realized he’d captured the joyful moment that she’d realized her beloved charity would be funded for longer than she’d thought. He was good at his job; Billie would give him that.
“Thank you again,” Max said. He held out his hand, and Billie shuffled the check to lean against her leg so that she could take it.
“I expect to see you next week to help decorate the center for Christmas,” Billie said. “I’ll be in touch about timing.”
“Of course.” Max winked again. “See you later.”
Then he left without a backwards glance, clearly ready to get back to his “important” work. Billie hoisted the check into her arms and went to track down Barbara to see where one could even cash a check like this. Hopefully at the nearest bank, because Billie did not like the thought of carrying this thing on the bus one bit.
As she maneuvered the stairs with the check in her arms, Billie couldn’t help wondering what it was going to be like to work with Max. Perhaps she should have told him that it was all right to just show up for publicity photos and not actually help, but she hated the thought that Max would get good press without doing anything. Maybe helping with the charity would be good for him.
Or maybe he’d just drive her crazy with his classic mix of charm and cockiness.
That remained to be seen.
Billie found most of her staff in the break room having lunch. They were so thrilled at the prospect of the funding — and so excited about the giant check — that Billie felt her spirits lift. She might have to work with a man she wasn’t all that fond of, but she’d also secured the funding that her charity needed to run their Christmas program. That was something to celebrate.