Page 16 of One Night With The Nanny

Reid reeled for a moment, offended and feeling a touch betrayed. He did a quick mental scan and his nose wrinkled. “It was two Decembers ago, on the 17th, when we had our last serious fight. Are you absolutely sure you want to break the streak over this?” he asked Gavin.

They had come close when Dash was wooing Gavin. Reid had stormed out after Gavin had said something similar about him being bored and meddling. Reid resented that because one: he didn’t meddle, he assisted and nurtured. And two: there was no telling how long it would have taken Fin and Gavin and the rest of their friends to get their acts together and quit dragging their feet. Hell, most of them would still be single and Gavin would never have sex again if Reid hadn’t intervened.

The third point was the most important and one Reid’s best friend and extended family clearly failed to grasp. And that was that Reid didn’t need any assistance or nurturing. He didn’t require an intervention because his life was already full and he was very happy with things just the way they were.

“Do I look bored?” he asked Gavin, then raised his brows at Dash. “I have two prospective nannies to see this week and I am trying to set up a few more interviews because we’re swamped with requests for long-term providers. And you know I won’t accept just anyone so we might get one new nanny if I can find a third or fourth to come in for a face-to-face,” he rambled, hoping they would get the point. “I also told Riley I’d spend a few days with Luna because Giles has some concerns about her reading,” he said, as he woke up his laptop and opened the calendar.

Dash stared at Reid for a moment before shaking his head. “That’s what you’ve got me for. And we all know your evenings are pretty wide open because everyone’s home and busy with their families these days. Except me and Gavin and you’re always saying we get on your nerves.”

“You don’t get on my nerves,” Reid argued with a hard cringe. “If we could just adjust the volume,” he added in a whisper, making Dash laugh.

“Probably not since it’s my favorite part and it’s his house.” His head swung toward the living room and Gavin smiled, making a contented sound as he read.

“Perhaps you wouldn’t notice if you weren’t so bored. Think of all the fun places you could go and all the pretty suits and tuxedos you could wear,” Gavin suggested and Dash gasped.

“Agnes did say that Max needs a husband to go to galas and parties with him. She goes for the gossip, and because she loves dressing up, but she doesn’t like going out as much now that she has June and Penny,” he said, causing Reid to feel a slight pang of guilt but he shook it off.

“I’m definitely not the right man for that and he isn’t my problem. There are plenty of men with nothing better to do who’d love to dress up and play host for Max.” It went without saying that Reid had the perfect tuxedo for just about any occasion, despite not having many occasions to wear a tuxedo now that everyone else was married… “I wonder if Max knows how much Agnes gossips about him. Tell her she’s wasting her time on me if she wants to find Max a husband that badly.” Reid sniffed and clicked on the last email from Max, intending to tell him just that but without sounding too presumptuous.

Direct and professional. Reid humphed at the screen, hitting send and crossing his arms over his chest as he sat back.

“There. I’ve told Max as much and the sooner you all accept that and move on, the better,” Reid advised them.

“Come on!” Dash urged Reid. “He’s a prince!”

Reid’s face twisted. “Why do you keep reminding me? I don’t want to date anyone but dating a royal sounds like a nightmare.”

There was a soft ding, notifying him of a new email. It was from Max and Reid thought it would be best to wait until he was alone to read it.

That didn’t stop him from opening it, unfortunately.

“Oh. No.” Reid closed his laptop.

How was he supposed to focus and behave himself tomorrow (Wednesday) night? Reid gave his head a shake and scowled at Max for mocking his attention to detail.

“Everything alright?” Gavin called from the living room.

“Fine!” Reid popped to his feet. “I don’t want to think abo— talk about it anymore.” He grabbed his computer and gave each of them a nod. “I need to figure out what I’m wearing tomorrow—Wednesday—night.” He muttered a curse under his breath and fled from the kitchen before they laughed at him again.

6

Despite being a nervous wreck, Max was ready to kiss Reid’s feet as he watched Mia light candles, plump pillows, and rearrange the dinner table.

“I can’t decide if I want to sit across from him or next to him…” She tapped her chin, then threw her hands up. “It’s fine. I need to change,” she announced.

“Again?” Max asked as she hurried from the room.

“I’m overdressed!”

“I see.” But Max shook his head, mystified and chuckling. She was wearing a shirtdress and leggings and he thought she looked lovely.

He had no concerns about his attire, though. Mia had given him a thumbs-up and insisted that Reid would approve when he stepped out of his closet and turned for her.

The doorbell rang at precisely 7:00 p.m. and Mia shouted “I’ll get it!” She slid through the foyer in a hoodie, jeans, and socks, squealing excitedly. Her long blonde waves had been pulled up into a bun and he was pleased to see that she’d left her earbuds in her room. “Hi! You must be Reid!” she said brightly, throwing Max an impressed look and fanning herself discreetly.

“And you must be Mia. These are for you,” Reid said as he presented her with a pink bakery box.

“What’s this?” She opened the box and cheered. “Cupcakes? Yay! Thank you!”

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