Page 18 of One Night With The Nanny

She groaned sympathetically. “That sounds so romantic but it can’t be good for business.”

He waved it off. “It was good for our family and being an uncle is literally the best thing ever. I have seven nieces and nephews and they are the coolest little people in the world.”

“What about you? Do you want to have kids?” she asked Reid.

His nose wrinkled and they carried the conversation to the table when Max announced that dinner was ready.

“The agency and our family keep me busy and I’m kind of…particular about my routine and my things,” he said, raising his hands apologetically. “I love kids and my family is…my life, but I don’t want kids of my own.”

“Fair enough,” Mia said as she sat across from Reid. She took it upon herself to serve, picking up Max’s plate first. She continued to question Reid as she filled his plate and then her own. “And you’ve always lived in New York?”

“Born and raised in Park Slope. I went to Columbia with Gavin and Penn.”

“Nice! I was considering Columbia.”

Reid pointed his fork at her. “You could do a lot worse,” he said and she hummed in agreement as she scooped a bite of potatoes into her mouth and chewed.

“I like their performing arts program, but now I’m leaning toward textiles and fashion, designing or marketing, so I think Parsons would be a better fit,” she explained.

“Really? You finally decided?” Max asked as he sat forward and reached for her hand. “I’d love to help you with your applications and we can look at the dorms together if you’d like.”

Her shoulder bounced and Mia poked at her food. “Sophia already helped me with the application and I was accepted, but I guess we could look at the dorms together.”

“Unless you’d like to stay here,” Max offered, but she shook her head.

“I want to see what it’s like in the real world and if I can fit in.”

Max bowed his head, sighing. “I understand and I’m proud of you, and I’ll be just down the street if you need anything,” he reminded her and retreated again.

He didn’t mind sitting back and observing. Mia was engaged and the conversation had an easy flow as long as Max stayed out of it. He was learning more as she shared with Reid than he had gleaned from years of fraught encounters.

Per Reid’s instructions, Max would receive an important phone call after dinner. Max was going to suggest that Mia show Reid the basketball hoop out back, so she could impress him with her incredible free throw. He was also hoping she would feel more comfortable with Reid if he gave them a little more space.

He couldn’t imagine anything scandalous that Mia might share, but Max was still trusting Reid to be discreet. And Max was trusting Reid with the most precious things in his world: Mia and Sophia. He’d been far too protective of his daughters and his private life to have considered bringing a man home before, but it had been so easy with Reid.

It had seemed like Max had finally found a balm or that Reid might have the key. From the moment Max walked into Briarwood Terrace, he knew he was in the presence of something—someone—special and he instinctively trusted Reid. Agnes’s and Walker’s endorsements had helped, but Max hadn’t doubted Reid’s competence or his integrity for one moment.

Seeing him in action with Mia was a revelation as well. Reid was authentically himself and she was just as captivated by his confidence and honesty as Max was. And Reid had an exceptionally light touch: he would have made an excellent therapist. Far better than the professionals Max had taken Mia to see.

She was laughing and she had even smiled at him when Max told Reid about her free throw percentage. It was such a rare sound and an even rarer sight. Max would have to think of something better than flowers to thank Reid.

“This was incredible,” Reid said, wiping his lips with his napkin and gesturing at his plate.

“I want a cupcake!” Mia stood and reached for the cake stand, selecting a chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles. There was an assortment, but Max and Reid both declined.

“I can’t eat another bite, I’m afraid,” Max said, as he began gathering empty plates.

Reid hopped up. “Let me help!” He waited until they were on the other side of the island and their backs were to Mia to whisper “It’s going great! She’s incredible!” and he gave Max an encouraging wink.

“Brilliant,” Max mouthed, too addled to say much more. They made quick work of the dishes and Max was topping off their wine glasses when Mia trudged into the kitchen with the rest of the cupcakes, clutching her stomach.

“I’m stuffed.”

There was a soft chime and an announcement that Max’s assistant, Banks, was calling. “That’s probably important,” he said, pretending to be bothered.

Reid waved for him to go ahead. “Take your time. I want to get a look at this hoop.” He hitched a thumb at the back door and Mia perked up, her stomach forgotten.

“Do you play?” she asked.

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