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“So cynical. I didn’t buy your grandfather a coffee or put my ugly Christmas socks on his feet for money. I did it out of concern for his welfare. I did it out of kindness, and that’s worth trying to promote, right?”
Brennan stared at his coffee as if it might have the answers. “Maybe.”
“Not everyone does something just so they can be rewarded. Perhaps your grandfather wants to highlight that. Maybe what I did wasn’t so out of character as he thought. Or as you think. Loads of people do wonderful things every day without recompense. Maybe that’s worth pointing out and asking people to take stock of the kindness they give to others.”
Brennan twisted his lips. “Maybe. I think the campaign for kindness isn’t a bad one. I’m just not sure it won’t backfire on my grandfather.”
She wasn’t sure how that would happen so she stayed quiet, weighing her own words against her intent. Would it be so bad to be a spokesperson for something she already believed in? “So, if I agree to do this and if you agree to help me, we probably need ground rules.”
“Right. So, I guess that means no sleeping together.”
Mary Paige’s hand jerked, and her tea sloshed on to the table. “Why in the world would you even mention such a thing?”
“Oh, well. So, it’s not off the table?” He smiled again. Dang, the man was downright gorgeous when he offered a genuine smile.
“Are you flirting with me?”
“Do you think I’m flirting with you?”
“I don’t know. I mean I thought earlier that you were looking at my…uh…my butt in that way. But that was my Spanx and, uh, I don’t understand what’s happening. You don’t even like me. Or know me.”
“Well, first, that’s not true. I like you. But I would be lying if I let you think it was just your Spanx I was looking at.”
Her mouth fell open before she could send the memo that she shouldn’t act like the country bumpkin she was. She snapped it closed. “Stop playing with me, Brennan.”
“Oh, is that what you think playing is?” His voice had dropped an octave, and Mary Paige felt oddly warm. To cover her confusion, she took a sip of scalding tea and made a face.
“Too hot?” The double entendre was obvious.
She shook her head. “Okay, enough. This is getting weird. Are we doing this or not?”
“Doing what?”
“This Spirit of Christmas thing your grandfather wants.”
“Oh, that.”
She didn’t bother responding because she knew what he was doing. Trying to set her back on her heels. Maybe even put her off the campaign by whatever these tactics were. But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “Yes, the only thing on the menu.”
His short laugh unnerved her. “We’ll see, won’t we?”
“No.” She sipped her tea and stared out at people hurrying by the window. She wasn’t allowing herself to go off the menu…she was barely convinced by what was on the menu. Spending time with Brennan felt dangerous, and that sorta appealed to her. Which was a stupid reason to be lured into this whole campaign. She didn’t even like him. “So, what do you think? And don’t make that a weird innuendo in order to deflect from your own doubts.”
Brennan’s lips twitched as he leaned back in the chair, taking a draw of the dark roast he’d purchased. “My inclination is no, but my grandfather usually gets his way. He’s like that.”
“I think you’re both accustomed to getting your way,” she muttered.
His smile was almost predatory.
Danger.
“True, but the more I think about it, the more I like differentiating our stores from the pack. It’s a good message for the holidays. A do-unto-others sort of vibe that seems right in this economy.”
“You’re back to thinking of it as a profit generator.”
He cocked his head. “I’m always thinking of the bottom line, Mary Paige. Always. I can’t apologize for doing my job. I want to be up front and honest here about the reason I’m considering throwing my hat into this promotion blitz—it’s good for the company. And that’s it.”
She nodded, not happy that his only motivation for standing beside her as she became the Spirit of Christmas for Henry Department Stores was money, but she appreciated his honesty. It was disappointing a person would be self-serving in the opportunity to help others and revel in the joy of the season. Very sad.
