Page 49 of One Night With The Nanny

“You should be,” Reid said and gulped from his glass. “I’d be at home and no one would know about Wes or you. I’d be meeting some stranger tonight, and tomorrow morning, my life would go right back to the way it was.”

“Is that what you really want?” Max asked him, then held his breath because he knew better than to expect the gentlest or most romantic answer from Reid.

“Yes.” Reid shrugged. “I want you to be a cold, selfish asshole so I can forget about you, Max. I’d like to stop caring about you and Mia because I’d rather be picking tonight’s outfit and obsessing about my hair and if I should get it cut today, if I’m being honest.”

The thought of Reid turning himself into a pretty package for some other man to open and admire made Max’s stomach turn. “Please don’t. Your hair looks perfect.” He wasn’t going to push Reid in regards to being exclusive when he was already panicking at the thought of dating Max. But he had to know. “Would you enjoy that?”

“The haircut or the fu—” Reid began, then stopped when Max gave him a pleading look.

“Perhaps we could have a safe word for arguments,” he said quietly, setting his drink down. “Although, it isn’t like you to be hurtful.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to argue and ruin the morning,” Reid said, sighing heavily as he sank onto the foot of the bed. “I don’t know what to do about this, but I’ll help you buy gifts for the girls.”

Max wanted to cheer and pump his fist victoriously. He didn’t want Reid to change his mind so Max calmly lowered onto the bed next to him.

“You’re staying? All day?” he asked cautiously.

“I did promise and the coffee is very good.”

“Do you want to stay in and order something fun for lunch later, or do you want to go out?” Max took Reid’s hand, turning it so he could kiss his wrist.

“I can’t go out in yesterday’s suit,” Reid said, biting his lip and groaning as Max licked along his forearm.

“They sell men’s clothing at Bergdorf’s.”

“I love Bergdorf’s,” Reid murmured, then pulled his arm away. “I buy my own clothes. I don’t want anyone thinking this is a ‘Pretty Woman’ situation,” he stipulated.

“I understand and I would never want anyone to assume I’m buying your affections,” Max agreed. “I’m allowed to buy you more toys, though,” he confirmed and Reid started to nod, then held up a finger.

“In theory. We can’t do this again. I’d like to return to the real world tomorrow and get my life back under control.”

“But you’ll be there on Wednesday when Sophia comes?” Max asked quickly. He didn’t like the way Reid hesitated and shrugged.

“I said I would, but Mia’s got your back now. You don’t need me there.”

“I do,” Max said, nodding. “They’ll blame me if you don’t come and I only knew what to do with Mia because you told me and you stopped me before I put my foot in my mouth. I’d be making the same mistakes and caught in the same cycle of frustration and failure if you hadn’t been there.”

“You’re not that man anymore, remember?” Reid nudged Max with his elbow. “That’s why Mia’s playing matchmaker and Sophia’s coming to dinner.”

Max laughed, nervous—in a good way—and still in disbelief at how much had changed between him and his daughters. “I won’t buy you anything except lunch while we’re out, but you have to let me thank you,” he said as he recaptured Reid’s wrist and licked the inside of his elbow.

He answered with a thoughtful hum. “There’s nothing in the rules that says I can’t accept a compliment, or an act—or gesture—of gratitude.”

“I’m delighted to hear that,” Max said as he cupped Reid’s cheek. Reid pulled Max with him as he fell back on the bed and another dream came true as they kissed. He was getting an entire day with Reid and Max was already planning next weekend’s adventure.

17

Sunday, 7:27 a.m. …

It seemed that no one respected Reid’s rules these days.

He had stormed into Briarwood Terrace at 7:02 and changed into a more casual plaid shirt and trousers to begin cooking only to find his orchids waiting in the fridge with an eviction notice taped to the bowl. Not for Reid, but for the orchids. Gavin wanted them out of the refrigerator before the end of the day or else he’d ask Penny to rehome them.

“Over my dead body,” Reid had declared and immediately went to work, finding a more appropriate pot for them. He was rinsing the roots when the buzzer rang. “Who is it and why are you early?”

“It’s me,” Fin replied.

“You’re an hour and a half early, Finley. Brunch starts at nine and ends no later than noon. No one’s supposed to be here before nine,” Reid said, but pushed the button, letting him in.

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