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She nodded, mostly because it seemed stupid to argue over a coat when they had more important things to iron out. “About this whole Spirit deal, I get the feeling you’re not on board with it, and I’m unsure exactly what it is I’m taking on and how I can do anything near what your grandfather wants.”
Brennan nodded, pausing a moment as if he were gathering the right words to say. She studied him in the yellowish light of the café…at the slight shadow of his beard, the intelligent gray eyes, and the thick shock of brown hair, glinting with reddish highlights. He had nice broad shoulders and strong, blunt fingers, and though he wore a well-tailored suit, she could tell he’d look spectacular in athletic shorts and a T-shirt.
Something more than tea warmed her insides.
Okay, stop fantasizing about Scrooge as a dude and see him for what he is—a not-so-nice person.
But could she really say that?
No.
She didn’t know the man and judged him based only on his reaction to the crazy scheme his grandfather had dreamed up and his intent to make a buck from the campaign. That didn’t mean Brennan threw kittens in the lake or elbowed old ladies.
“I agree with you. This whole thing is absurd, but my grandfather’s nutty Spirit of Christmas idea isn’t a bad one. It could be brilliant for our company, bring in a load of customers buying into the whole true-meaning crap. It’s just bothersome to have to spend the time making it happen.”
Okay, he was a bit of an ass.
“Bothersome?” she asked.
“Well, don’t tell me you want to skip all over the city doing Lord only knows what for the entire season? With me?”
He looked hard at her, and something plinked inside her at the thought of spending time with this guy. At least the view was nice. He certainly filled out a suit and that jaw line was killer.
Mary Paige dashed whatever teeny bit of something ridiculous that had bloomed against the rock-hard wall of reality. “So we agree. This thing is a no-go?”
“I didn’t say that.”
What had he said, then?
Mary Paige cleared her throat. “Listen, I have plans for my life. Plans that don’t include a crazy millionaire and five weeks of standing beside you pretending I want to be there.”
He frowned. “He’s a billionaire.”
“Whatever. Look, he seems like a nice guy, and I like what he’s trying to do. Christmas often feels so commercialized people lose sight of what is truly important.”
“Which is?”
“Family, friends, love.”
“Bah, humbug,” he said with a smile.
She arched an eyebrow she knew needed waxing. She would have attended to that if she had known she’d be sitting across from a hot executive having tea. Even if said hot executive was an absolute ass.
“I’m trying to bring some humor into this.” His eyes sort of twinkled.
Hmm.
She gave him a deadpan look.
“Not working?”
She took another sip of tea. “Well, it’s good that you’re attempting humor.”
Brennan smiled. Actually smiled. And he looked very nice doing it. “Do you think my grandfather’s idea is a good one? And if you do, do you think it will change anything about the commercialism that is Christmas?”
Mary Paige bit her lower lip as she thought about his question. “I want to say no, but truth is, maybe. Maybe if the lesson of taking a moment to help someone, to offer a cup of coffee, hold a door, give away a pair of socks was highlighted more people might think about practicing kindness.”
“Buttheywon’t win two million dollars.”
