Page 22 of Nanny for the Doctor

“He brought it out to ask what it was, and I already knew at that point, so I just started laughing. And then he started pushing the buttons. I swear to God, the thing jumped around like a jackhammer.”

I can barely breathe from laughing so hard.

“I explained what it was, and Reed dropped the thing on the floor. So it started flopping around, and we had to catch it to put it back in the drawer.”

When Reed finally pokes his face out from behind his hands, he sighs and shakes his head.

“Apparently, it was very expensive, and I was grounded for, like, a week after managing to put a tear in the silicone.”

It’s a few minutes before we can all stop laughing, and I lay a hand on Reed’s shoulder.

“Well, at least that’s something you won’t have to worry about with Henry.”

He shakes his head as he smiles. “Here’s hoping he doesn’t get a pocket pussy.”

* * *

The night winds down,and I steal a pair of Stevie’s pajamas so I can crash on their pullout sofa. She’s already up in bed, and I hug Johnny as he goes to join her.

“This was so fun.” Johnny puts a foot on the stairs. “Thank you for coming.”

“Of course. Happy birthday, bro.”

As I walk down the hall to double-check that the door is locked, my house or not—I’m a stickler for safety—Reed comes out of the entryway bathroom.

We’re all well into tipsy territory, and Reed’s nice suit looks disheveled, his jacket long gone. I can’t help but snicker at him, even if he’s somehow even hotter like this.

He notices and cocks a brow at me. “What?”

“I’ve never seen you look so…relaxed.”

Reed looks down at his rumpled shirt. He’s rolled up the sleeves to his elbows and undone the top few buttons.

It’s so effortlessly sexy, and I struggle to remind myself he’s my boss and still Johnny’s best friend.Yup, that’s very off-limits, Mae.

“Huh, yeah. Well, it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a night out. I’ve definitely had way more drinks than normal.”

“You’re not driving, are you?” I cross my arms over my chest.

“No, of course not. I’m going to crash up in the loft on those blankets Stevie set up for the kids.”

“On the floor? Don’t do that. You’ll kill your back. Why don’t you share the pullout with me? It’s plenty big enough.”

His eyes go a bit wide, and he shakes his head emphatically. “No way. I won’t make you share a bed with me. I toss and turn. And Henry says he can hear my snoring from down the hall.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’m too tired to hear anyone’s snoring once I fall asleep.”

If I’m even able to. Having Reed that close to me is going to make unconsciousness a challenge.

I start walking down the hall toward the living room and the bed to finish setting up.

“You know, there’s a loveseat up there. I’ll just sleep on that.”

Reed has followed me but starts to turn back to the stairs.

“Don’t be silly. You’re what, like, six two? You’ll throw your back out sleeping on a loveseat. Or give yourself kinks in your neck.”

He hesitates in the hall, and I grab his hand.

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