Page 57 of One Night With The Nanny

“At the Baccarat.”

“The Baccarat?” they both parroted.

“At the Baccarat,” Max confirmed. “And all I’ll need is a killer suit. Or a tuxedo...”

21

Saturday, 7:45 p.m. …

“Icalled in our order and they said it should only take about twenty so I’m going to head over there,” Dash announced, pulling on his hoodie as he came into the kitchen. “Are you sure you don’t want anything?” he asked Reid, but he waved dismissively from his seat at the table.

“I’m not sure what I’m in the mood for, but I’ll figure something out. Thanks for asking,” he said, aimlessly clicking through tabs on his laptop’s screen.

“See you in a bit,” Dash said as he kissed Gavin by the stove, groaning when he pulled away.

“I’ll miss you,” Gavin rumbled and sighed as Dash left, making Reid smile.

“I can make myself scarce if you want to get out the candles and open some wine,” he offered.

“Maybe we will after dinner,” Gavin said and they fell into a comfortable silence.

At least, Reid was comfortable until Gavin cleared his throat and took a large step toward the table. Reid looked up from his laptop, arching a brow. “Did you need something?”

“Is…everything alright?” Gavin asked, wincing as he leaned and gave Reid’s shoulder a punch.

“Alright?” Reid glanced at his arm, then up at Gavin. “Why wouldn’t everything be alright?”

“No reason!” Gavin flailed and he looked slightly sweaty as he crossed his arms and uncrossed them. “The thing is…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I heard that you weren’t returning Max’s messages or answering his emails and I wondered if he…did something or if you had a fight,” he said hesitantly.

Reid humphed and hunkered over his keyboard. “You heard,” he muttered at the last email Max had sent him. It was there, waiting for a response, but Reid still didn’t have one. “Not that it’s anyone’s business, but I answered some of his texts today,” he said and closed the email. He flashed Gavin a wide smile, hoping he’d take the hint and leave it alone.

He did not. “The thing is…” Gavin sighed as he went to the bench and sat opposite Reid, in his usual spot. “Agnes told Penny and Penny told Dash that Max said something that freaked you out and he’s been freaking out because you won’t talk to him.”

“The nanny network strikes again!” Reid whispered, shutting his laptop and crossing his arms over his chest. “When I do have something to say to Max, I’ll have you tell Dash and then he can call Penny and then she can tell Agnes and she can let Max know.”

There was a knowing hum from Gavin. “You’re usually the one operating the switchboard. Not as much fun when the network’s buzzing about you, is it?”

“It’s not and I wish you all would sit this one out.”

“I think I said the very same thing,” Gavin said as he pointed at his armchair. “Don’t make this more awkward than it already is.” He sighed and sat forward, setting his hand on the table between them. “Did Max say or do something to hurt you?” he asked quietly, his hardened tone and expression indicating that he was serious.

“No!” Reid shook his head. “Max would never. He’s not—” He didn’t know how to explain that Max’s impeccable manners and yearning for love and companionship wouldn’t allow him to hurt Reid. “He’s never hurt me and I’ve never felt unsafe or threatened when I was with him.”

“Good,” Gavin replied. “Do you think there might be someone else?”

Reid didn’t hesitate. “No. Not that it matters because we aren’t dating. Nothing’s going on between us.”

“I see…” But Reid could tell from the way Gavin’s eyes tightened behind his glasses that he wasn’t pleased. “You’ve had dinner at his place with his daughters three times in the last month and he took you to the River Café and the Plaza last weekend. And we both know you’ve been spending your Saturday evenings with him. I’d call that dating,” he said and raised his brows, daring Reid to deny it.

“Look.” He laughed as he rolled his eyes. “It would have been a one-time thing—it should have been a one-time thing—but Agnes caught us and Max needed my help. Things got a little out of hand and I think we both got confused because of the way we met. Max is a wonderful man and I’ve loved helping him fix his relationship with his daughters. But we forget who we are and our self-control goes right out the window the moment we’re alone.”

Gavin frowned and his neck swiveled. “He’s a wonderful man and you enjoy his company and spending time with his daughters. And you’re telling me you can’t keep your hands off of each other?” He made a concerned sound and rubbed his chin. “Whatever shall we do?” he asked heavily, then threw a hand at Reid as he sat back.

“Don’t worry,” Reid said, giving him a playful kick under the table. “This thing with Max isn’t serious and it’ll blow over soon. He’s talking to both of his girls now and they’ve already made tons of progress. I don’t think he needs my help anymore, honestly, he’s so much better at being himself with them.”

“I wasn’t worried,” Gavin replied. “But it’s a telling slip and I think we both know why you are,” he said and Reid snorted.

“I misspoke. Why are you reading into everything I say?”

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