Page 17 of One Night With The Nanny

Max leaned to see around her. “Welcome to our home,” he said, keeping his voice calm and even as he offered his hand to Reid.

“Thanks.” He smiled at Max as he took it, but Reid’s eyes did a quick scan around the first floor’s open living room and kitchen. “Something smells amazing,” Reid said and raised a brow at Mia as he slid out of a dark gray sport coat. His sage shirt brought out the green in his hazel eyes, but it was the tailored fit and the way it hugged Reid’s lean frame that caught Max’s attention. Reid had left the collar unbuttoned and Max ached to pull him close and kiss his neck and the hint of bare clavicle.

Mia cleared her throat, causing Max to jump. “Mary made her roasted short ribs with whipped sweet potatoes. It’s my favorite,” she said, saving Max. “I’ll put these on a cake stand for later,” she informed them and cheered as she passed Max.

“Let me take that,” Max said, reaching for Reid’s coat. He was wearing dark jeans and rather sharp black suede loafers, but it was Reid’s cologne and warmth that had Max leaning in. “You look incredible,” he said as he kissed Reid’s cheek. “Thank you for coming.”

“Thanks, it wasn’t a big deal,” Reid replied, shrugging and stuffing his hands in his pockets. “You have a lovely home. You’re just a few houses down from Agnes and Penny, and not too far from The Killian House,” he said and Max nodded, gesturing for Reid to follow him to the kitchen.

“We are and I often forget. It’s been too long since I’ve stopped by to say hello to Walker and the girls.” Max felt a flash of guilt for not being a better friend while Walker was grieving. “Isn’t it sad how you can live around the corner from a friend in this city, but they might as well be across the country? We get so wrapped up in our lives and go months or years without seeing each other.”

Reid hummed in agreement. “I used to go months without seeing one of my best friends, Morris, and it took a terrible tragedy to remind us that tomorrow is never guaranteed.”

“No, it’s not,” Max agreed and pointed at the Mas de Gourgonnier he’d selected to go with the short ribs. “Is red wine alright?” he asked, earning a faint hum from Reid as he drifted by the pantry and the wine fridge.

“Sounds lovely. It’s just you and Mia and Mary?”

“For the most part. A team comes in twice a week to do the floors, bathrooms, windows… But Mary takes care of us during the day,” Max said and as he expected, Mia let out a forlorn sigh as she placed the cupcakes on the table.

“Mary’s great. I wish we could have Lucy back, though.”

“I wish she didn’t have to retire too,” Max replied, noting Reid’s interest as he watched the exchange. He was glad when Mia mimicked him under her breath and swung back to Reid, dismissing him.

“Dad said that you know Agnes.”

Reid’s face fell and his lips pulled into an adorable scowl. “She’s my sister-in-law and future nemesis,” he said, making her giggle.

“Agnes is awesome!”

“She has her moments,” he conceded with a slow shake of his head. “Walker married my brother, Fin, a few years ago, and then she married my Penny Lane, so Agnes thinks it’s her place to meddle in my business,” he said, giving Max a loaded look. “Like introducing me to her very unsuitable friends.”

There was another delighted giggle from Mia. “I’m so glad she did! I didn’t think this was ever gonna happen.” She pointed at Max and Reid.

“You wanted it to?” Max asked her in disbelief. “I was certain you wouldn’t approve if I—” he stopped when she pulled a face.

“As long as you aren’t creepy about it. Ella has to document every moment on Insta and it’s so cringe,” she said with a hard shudder.

“Ella?” Reid prompted and she stuck out her tongue.

“The broken dipshit who birthed me and my older sister, Sophia,” she told Reid sweetly.

“Mia,” Max said firmly, shaking his head. “I am sorry for your mother’s shortcomings, but there’s no need to use that kind of language or say hateful things. It won’t make you feel better.”

“You should give it a try sometime,” she said to Max. “I find it relaxing and it’s what she deserves.”

Reid cleared his throat. “This red is gorgeous,” he murmured into his glass, taking a deep sniff before smiling at Max and then at Mia. “You sound like an American. Have you lived here long?”

“We moved here when I was six,” she said, taking his cue and changing the subject. “So, what is it you do, Reid?”

He smiled sheepishly and canted toward her. “My parents wanted me to be a psychologist, but I went into childcare instead. I was a private nanny for several years before I started my own agency with my best friend, Gavin.”

“That’s really cool!” Mia said excitedly. She leaned over the island, propping her chin on her palm. Reid had her undivided attention so Max left them to talk while he took their dinner out of the oven. Everything was in covered dishes and ready to be served family-style so all he had to do was carry them to the table. “How many nannies do you have?” she asked Reid.

“At the moment, we have sixteen. We’d have more but my best nannies keep falling in love and getting married and growing families of their own,” he complained with a dramatic huff, but it was clear he was joking. “My brother was Walker’s nanny and Penny was Agnes’s nanny. Her big brother, Penn, was also one of my nannies until he fell in love with my friend, Morris Mosby.”

“You know Morris Mosby?” Mia covered her cheeks as she muffled a shriek.

“Yup. We’ve been best friends since we were six, so I gave him a pass when he started fooling around with one of my nannies.”

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