14. Billie
CHAPTER 14
BILLIE
S everal days later, Billie was working on the grant application again when she got a call from Max. Surprised, she answered right away.
“No text?”
“Not today.” There was a smile in Max’s voice.
“How special. So, what’s up?”
“Well, I have two pieces of news for you. The first is that my PR team says that our work together has been a big success so far — though it’s too soon for final results. They’re already talking about making this an annual thing.”
“Really?” Billie’s heart beat a little faster at the thought of working with Max year after year. “What did you say?”
“Of course, I said I’d need to talk to you about it, but I don’t have any objections.”
“Because it feels good to help,” Billie prompted. Grinning, she shifted the phone to her other hand and stood, walking to her window.
“It does. And it’s been nice getting to know you.” There was a pause, then Max added quickly, “But mostly because it’s good publicity.”
“Sure, sure.” Still, Billie’s heart warmed at Max’s words. Good publicity or not, that clearly wasn’t what he’d thought of first. “What’s the other news?”
“Right. Well, in a few days, there’s a big corporate Christmas party for Bluebell Diner. I know, a corporate party is probably the last thing you want to attend, but since Christmas is there too, I thought you might agree to go as my guest.”
Billie’s heart fluttered now. “Oh! Yes, of course. I’d love to.”
“It would be a nice way to thank you for everything you’ve done for me this past month.”
“That’s kind of you, but there’s no need to thank me. You’ve helped a lot, too.”
“Even if that’s true, which I doubt, I’d still like for you to come.”
“I will.” Billie grinned like she’d won the lottery, all alone in her office by the cold pane of the window. “When is this?”
“December nineteenth. It begins at seven. Oh, and it’s dressy.”
“All right.” Billie thought of the skirt and sweater she’d worn to the gala, which was her dressiest outfit. It looked like it’d be making a comeback in a few days.
“Do you mind if I pick you up at your place?”
“Not at all, but won’t that be out of the way for you?”
“No, I don’t mind. See you then.”
“Bye.”
Billie hung up and stood for another moment by the window, just holding the phone and grinning. Max wanted to spend more time with her. Although this wasn’t a date, obviously , she was still thrilled. Even the fact that it was a corporate party didn’t bother her. For all Max’s obsession with profits, his business was doing good work, and she could appreciate that.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Billie called, pivoting away from the window to prepare to greet her guest.
Chloe, one of Billie’s teen volunteers who’d recently gotten into Colorado College on early decision, peered around the door.
“Hey, Billie.”
“Hi, Chloe. What’s up?”
“I just wanted to ask if we have any more of those little pom-poms. I used a bunch of them in an arts-and-crafts project today.”
“Sure, we should have them in the supply closet. If we’re out, you can add them to the list, and I’ll get them in a few days.”
“Thanks!” Chloe turned to leave, and Billie impulsively called after her.
“Hold on, Chloe.”
“Yeah?” The young woman peeked around the door.
“You like fashion, right?”
“Of course. I made this jacket myself.” She stepped back into the office and nodded at a patchwork jacket that looked like it had been sewn together from different materials. It looked very professionally done, and Billie would never have guessed it was homemade.
“So, if I wanted to look nice for a party, what should I wear?”
“Do you have a date?” Chloe’s eyes lit up.
“No, no.” Billie felt herself blushing and moved on quickly. “It’s just a small holiday party with a… friend.”
“It sounds like a date to me.” Chloe grinned mischievously. “And if it is, the important thing is that you wear something that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful. Fashion comes second.”
“Thanks, Chloe.” Billie was impressed by the girl’s maturity. They chatted for a few more minutes before Chloe headed downstairs to go home. Billie stayed in her office. Despite what she’d said to Chloe, and despite what she’d reminded herself just a few minutes ago, the invitation to the party did feel a little bit like a date. More than a little bit. She was looking forward to seeing Max in a non-work setting. Maybe they’d have a chance to talk, even dance. Billie smiled at the prospect.
Surely there was no harm in enjoying a nice evening with a colleague whom she respected. A friend. There could never be anything romantic between them, so perhaps Billie could lean into the imagination that there could be. It wouldn’t hurt. Or at least it wouldn’t as long as Billie remembered that the real reason she was going was to build a stronger and more professional relationship with a key donor.
That evening, after work, she ate a quick dinner of a boxed sandwich (thinking of Max and his delicious restaurant food as she did) then went out with her sister Jamie to go dress shopping. Chloe was right that Billie should wear something she was comfortable in, but she hadn’t said anything against Billie going out and buying that something.
The sisters spent a lovely few hours browsing the stores until Billie found a new dress in a festive green that was just her size. Jamie teased her about going on a date, and Billie responded that she had bigger things to worry about now, like becoming an aunt.
Still, thoughts of Max were never far from her mind.
“Come on,” Jamie said as they sat down in a coffee shop, the green dress in a bag at Billie’s feet. “You are totally going on a date.”
“I am not,” Billie said yet again. “It’s just a work event with a colleague.”
“I know about your work, and this does not seem in character. Come on. I’m married and pregnant. I need a little gossip.”
“Fine.” Billie sipped her peppermint hot chocolate, enjoying the moment as Jamie grew more and more impatient. “It’s really not a date. But do you remember how I told you about the guy who’s working with Sweetest Surprise?”
“Max,” Jamie recalled. “The annoying businessman who can’t decorate a tree to save his life.”
“That one.” Billie chuckled. “Although he’s, well, grown on me over the last few weeks. He’s actually been really helpful at Sweetest Surprise and I’ve… enjoyed working with him.”
“Oh, come on.” Jamie danced a little in her chair, always the excited younger sister. “You like him. This is absolutely a date.”
“No, no.” Billie tried not to smile. “He just invited me to his corporate holiday party. Hundreds of people will be there. I’m sure he’s just being polite.”
“When he sees you in that dress, he’ll forget all about being polite,” Jamie predicted with a knowing smile.
Billie rolled her eyes dismissively, but she couldn’t help feeling a little excited about her evening with Max. Maybe he would be impressed when he saw her in her new dress.
By the time the evening of the nineteenth rolled around, Billie found herself spending a little too long trying on her dress and making sure her hair and makeup looked nice. Perhaps all this was a sign that she should start looking for love once the holidays were over. Clearly, she was craving the thrill of a first date and the spark of new romance — neither of which were going to come from Max. No matter how much a part of her might want that.
When Max sent her a text letting her know he was outside, Billie gave herself one last assessing look in the hallway mirror then grabbed her purse and hurried downstairs. It was time.