Page 20 of One Night With The Nanny

Reid nodded. “Very informative,” he mouthed in case she was still in earshot.

“Good?” Max whispered, picking up their glasses and passing one to Reid.

“I think so,” he said as he swung his head toward the living room. “We might be able to lure her back out if it sounds like we’re having a good time.”

A door closed loudly and they heard muffled music.

Max smiled placidly and offered Reid a polite hum as he drank from his glass.

“Do you always do that?” Reid asked, making Max’s brows dip.

“Do what?”

Reid pointed at Max and then in the direction of Mia’s room. “Pretend that nothing happened and it didn’t bother you.”

“Yes… Why? What else was I supposed to do?”

“Express your feelings and attempt to resolve the conflict?” Reid suggested, making Max laugh.

“Express my feelings? I hardly think that Mia would appreciate it or like me better if I complained or yelled at her like a barbarian.”

Reid held up a finger. “There is such a thing as a happy medium.”

“I suppose, but I wouldn’t want to burden her with my feelings when she’s already upset. Usually because of something I said.” He sighed heavily. “I don’t think she would have been happy if I told her I was disappointed that she didn’t stay. What if that upset her more and caused us to have an even bigger argument?”

“Your feelings aren’t a burden, Max,” Reid said gently but Max shook his head.

“I’ve always found them to be.”

Reid hissed sympathetically. “Maybe we should talk about that.”

They heard the doorbell ring and Max’s neck stretched as he set down his glass.

“Mia? Were you expecting someone?” he called.

She hurried into the living room with a stuffed tote bag and a backpack. “It’s just Sophia. I asked her to come and get me so you two could have a little more privacy,” she said quickly, zipping past the sofa on her way to the door.

Max jumped to his feet, giving the front of his shirt a tug to smooth it, and checked his collar. “Sophia’s here?” His voice had cracked and Reid’s brows jumped when he saw Max’s hands shake before they were clasped behind his back.

“Just for a moment,” Mia cautioned Max with widened eyes. “Don’t make it weird,” she added before opening the door.

He shook his head quickly. “I won’t,” he rasped and sniffled softly.

Reid heard Max hold his breath and there was a slight, muffled gasp when the door opened, revealing a stunning young woman who was undoubtedly Max’s daughter. She was tall with icy blue eyes and her long, ash-blonde hair was pulled into a messy bun.

“Sophia!” Max croaked, then coughed and ducked his head. “It’s lovely to see you. Please, come in,” he said gently, but her nose wrinkled and she shook her head.

“I’m double-parked and I’m just here to get Mia. I’ll make sure she gets to school on time tomorrow,” she informed them, immediately dismissing Max and honing in on Reid.

That was why she was there: to get a peek at Max’s dinner guest.

“Are you sure you don’t want to join us?” Reid asked as he got up and went to help Max, holding out a hand to Sophia. “Reid Marshall, it’s lovely to meet you. Max has told me so much.”

That earned a hard, dubious snort from Sophia. “I’ll bet he has,” she said under her breath and Reid sensed that she was already testing him.

Reid hissed as he nodded. “He talks about you a lot,” he amended. “He talks about the both of you a lot and it’s nice to put a face to a name. Kids and families are my specialty so he’s asked a lot of questions and mentioned you a few times,” he explained with a sheepish wince. “I don’t know how to clock out. Even when I’m having dinner and drinks with a friend.”

“I see…” Sophia looked impressed as she stepped over the threshold. “Are you a doctor?”

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