Page 41 of One Night With The Nanny

Reid felt like he was dreaming as he waved back. “Have a good night, Norm.”

A limo was waiting and Reid’s nerves fizzed wildly as he ducked inside and Max slid in next to him, filling the cabin with his heady scent and heat.

“Where are we headed?” Reid asked as the limo pulled away from the curb and eased into traffic. His stomach did a somersault when Max turned toward him and captured Reid’s hand.

“I have two favorite places, so I was torn,” he began, his thumb dancing back and forth across Reid’s knuckles and wreaking havoc on his focus.

“Me too,” he said and nodded, making Max chuckle.

“I have a place in 432 Park Avenue and I often dine there when it’s just me,” he said, snagging Reid’s attention.

“You have a place in 432 Park Avenue?” he verified and Max nodded.

“I bought it as an investment property and because they keep an excellent chef.”

“I’ve heard,” Reid said wryly. The building’s private restaurant was rumored to be one of the finest in the city but it was impossible to get a table there, you had to be a resident or the guest of a resident.

“I’ll take you sometime, but I didn’t think it would be very romantic. The ambiance is rather stark and a bit too private, I feel more confined and isolated there.”

“I could see that.”

“I hope the River Café is alright,” Max said and Reid widened his eyes, impressed.

“Fin and Walker took me there for my birthday a few years ago, and I have been dying to go back.”

Max’s eyes glittered as he kissed Reid’s hand. “Perfect.”

The evening was off to a perfect start and felt even more like a dream when Max gave Reid a hand out of the limo and offered his arm.

“Mia did say a walk in the park was required,” Max said as they strolled over cobblestones and through an intimately lit garden at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Mia had also stipulated that they hold hands, but she would have approved as Max’s hand covered Reid’s as it rested in his arm. They stopped to take in the view of the city skyline as the sun set and Reid couldn’t hide how moved he was.

“There just isn’t anything better than that,” he said, his voice catching as he shook his head. “I couldn’t live anywhere else. That’s my heart over there.”

“I don’t think I could either. My girls are both New Yorkers now,” Max said as they walked.

Inside the restaurant, the maître d’ met them at the door. “Welcome back, Mr. von Hessen. Your usual table is ready, but I also held one outside on the deck for you, in case you wanted to enjoy the gorgeous evening,” he said as he escorted them through the dining room.

“That sounds lovely. Thank you, George,” Max said and gestured for Reid to go first.

His hand lingered on Reid’s back as they walked and several people had noticed, judging by the ripple of whispers around them. They were shown to a table by the rail, right on the water, and Reid was stunned again by the view as Max pulled out his chair.

“Look at that!” Reid whispered excitedly as he sat, his hands shaking as he accepted the menu from their server.

Max sighed appreciatively as he lowered into the seat next to Reid’s and reclined. “It’s spectacular. The food might be slightly better at 432,” he whispered as he leaned close so only Reid could hear. “But I prefer this view and it’s magical when the weather’s nice and we can sit outside.”

“We?” Reid asked, smiling as he scanned the menu. Everything sounded good and he had no idea how he’d pick.

“Mia loved to come here when she was a little girl. She loved all the lights and the way they sparkled on the water,” he said, then looked up when their server returned with champagne flutes and began filling them.

“Will you be having your usual, Mr. von Hessen?” he asked and Max nodded.

“I’d like to start with the oysters and caviar, but we might need another moment,” he said with a tip of his head in Reid’s direction.

“That sounds great,” Reid said, setting down his menu and reaching for his glass. He tapped it against Max’s, still unable to pull his eyes away from the skyline and all the lights. “What do you recommend?” he asked Max once they were alone again, earning a serious wince.

“I almost always get the duck, but the sea bass and lobster are both exceptional.”

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