At the following day's rehearsal, Max gathered the cast around him. "I have some wonderful news," he said. The actors exchanged excited looks. "I have arranged for several local reporters to visit our rehearsal tomorrow. It should be a great way to promote this show. If we play our cards right, we could make ourselves the biggest hit on Broadway!"

The actors were all thrilled with this news. Many were still waiting for their "big break," so any exposure to the press was certainly welcome. When the initial excitement had worn off, they began to rehearse. Things went along smoothly, especially since Max didn't have to watch any kissing scenes today.

Soon it was lunchtime. Max quickly ran over to his star as soon as she got off the stage. "Miss Fine, I wonder if you'd be interested in having lunch with me," he said. His conversation with C.C. had made him think, and he had finally decided it was time to open up to Fran.

"Sure, Mr. Sheffield," Fran said. "I never turn down a handsome millionaire." She winked at him.

Max decided to take her to lunch and treat her, not as his nanny, but as his date. It was his way of making up for his earlier behavior. They rode in his limo to a very fancy restaurant. "When you said you were taking me to lunch, I thought you meant the little deli across from the theater," Fran said. "But this is nice, too."

Max smiled. "I'm glad you approve." The waiter escorted them to their table, and they sat. "I just felt I should find some way to apologize for being such a jerk about you and Greg."

"Oh, it's OK," Fran said. "You were just jealous."

"I guess I was," Max admitted. "I had a little talk with Miss Babcock yesterday about the situation, and she really made me think."

"Miss Babcock?" Fran said. "Boy, I wish I could've been a fly on the wall for THAT conversation!"

Max laughed. "She didn't understand why I was so upset about you and Greg, and I couldn't really explain it at the time, either. But I got to thinking about all the great times we've shared, and how much the children have improved since you came into our lives."

"Mr. Sheffield, what are you saying?" Fran asked.

"I'm saying, you mean a lot to me. I think it's time I told you that I love you." Max took Fran's hand and kissed it.

Fran was practically speechless. "Oh my God! Give me your cell phone, I've got to call Val!" Max smiled as he handed over his phone so that Fran could let all of Flushing know what had just happened.

Before Fran had the chance to dial Val's number the couple was interrupted. "Maxwell, so good to see you. How is that play of ours coming along?" said one of the play's investors, Charlie, as he sat down at their table.

"Why hello Charlie. Good to see you," Max replied. "Yes, the play is going very well."

Just as Fran was planning to make a quick get away to the ladies' room to call Val, Charlie asked, "And how is our star doing?"

"Just great until you come over," Fran muttered before saying, "Oh everything is going just great," she smiled. 'Just my luck we get interrupted after Mr. Sheffield drops a bombshell like that,' Fran thought.

The rest of their lunch was consumed with talking to Charlie. "Well, Charlie we should be getting back to rehearsals," Max said hoping to steal a few minutes with Fran before they went back.

"Yes of course. Good luck, Miss Fine. I cannot wait for opening night," Charlie responded as he shook both of their hands. "On second thought, why don't I ride over with you now to see how things are coming along."

Trying to avoid Fran's look of annoyance, Max replied, "Sure, why not. Let's go then, shall we?"

After an uncomfortable ride back to the theater, where Charlie sat in the middle of Fran and Max, Fran rushed to the cast to get ready for the next scene without another word to Max.