Page 144 of Just One Fake Date

“Guilty as charged. What if we go to Harte’s Harbor next weekend to visit your mom? I’d love to meet her, and maybe we can talk about booking the church there for the wedding.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously. Of course, you want to get married there. If your mom doesn’t mind helping, we should be able to set it up from here.”

“She’ll love it!” Shannyn gripped his lapels, her manner intent. “We could pick the date now and get it all settled before your mom runs out of weddings to organize.”

“That’s an excellent plan,” Ty agreed. Aidan tossed him his car keys and they shook hands, Shannyn sharing the news with him. He congratulated them both, then the church bells started to ring. Ty led Shannyn back inside, escorting her to the pew where his sisters were sitting, thinking she was the most radiant woman in the church.

And she would be his wife.

Shannyn didn’t thinkit was possible to be happier than she was. Her heart was racing when Tyler led her into the church and seated her with his family, and she felt like she was walking on air. Her luck really had changed with Tyler in her life, and the sky was the limit. Derek and Paige greeted her with enthusiasm and she managed to ask Derek about fixing up the garage before the service started. Lauren was welcoming and introduced her to Stephanie and Anthony. Katelyn and Jared waved from further down the pew. She felt surrounded by a new family and excited about the future.

When they left the church and the couple returned for pictures, Shannyn called her mom to share the news. She could tell that Tyler and her mom were going to get along perfectly—her mom was excited that they were coming to visit and immediately ready to make plans for the wedding.

“Just immediate family and friends, Mom. Tyler is tired of big weddings.”

“I’ll call Mark tonight and check on the availability of the church,” her mom said. Of course, there was only one church in Harte’s Harbor. “And we can book the church hall for the reception. If a buffet is fancy enough for you, the ladies of the church will cater it.”

“Of course, it’s fancy enough. That would be great, Mom.”

“It will be nice. They’re very good. And I’ll get started on your dress.”

“Mom!

“I couldn’t make you one before, but this time is different. Let it be my gift to you.”

Shannyn smiled as her mom began to review possible dates. She and Tyler began texting about the arrangements and she was surprised by how quickly everything came together.

As if it was meant to be.

Shannyn thought it probably was. She also sent a message to Kirsten who answered even though she was on her honeymoon and asked her to be her maid of honor. Shannyn suspected that half of the wedding guests heard Kirsten’s enthusiastic agreement.

By the time Tyler’s duties as groomsman were completed, the entire day was almost arranged. Shannyn confirmed the details with him as they danced, and they made a plan for renovating the house. Lisa and Mrs. P. hadn’t moved yet, but they could start on the kitchen as well as the garage, then do the second floor afterward.

Shannyn floated to the ladies’ room when Grandma Trixie demanded that Tyler dance the Macarena with her.

The ladies’ room had a restroom first, with chairs and mirrors. A double doorway opened into the tiled space beyond with stalls, sinks and more mirrors. It was decorated in silver and charcoal grey and was quite elegant. Shannyn passed another woman on her way through the carpeted outer room and they nodded at each other. She heard the outer door close when she entered the tiled space and found Tyler’s sister Stephanie there alone.

She looked as if she’d been crying, and they couldn’t have been happy tears. She was dabbing at her mascara even as her tears flowed. Shannyn pretended not to notice, but just said hello. When she came back out of the stall, Stephanie was still there. Shannyn chose a sink further down and washed her hands. She wished she could help, although they didn’t know each other well yet.

“We’ve hardly spoken to each other,” Stephanie said, obviously making an effort to be polite.

“No, we haven’t, but weddings are so busy. This is a big one, too.” Shannyn touched up her lipstick, giving the other woman time to speak if she wanted to.

Stephanie took a deep breath. “It was really brave of you to let my mom know that you don’t want kids,” she said, all in a rush. When Shannyn glanced at her, Stephanie bit her lip and her tears started to flow again.

Shannyn suddenly had a very definite idea what was wrong. “Well, it was easier than admitting that I can’t have them,” she said quietly

Stephanie looked at her with surprise.

“It’s true. But whenever I tell people the truth, they want to make suggestions and that just makes it so much worse.” Shannyn smiled a little. “I suspect Tyler came honestly by his desire to fix things, so it seemed simpler to say I didn’t want kids.”

Stephanie smiled a little. “He does. My mom...”

“Your mom is happy, and she wants all of you to be happy, too. It only makes sense that she wants each of you to have all the things that give her joy.”

“That’s a really kind way of looking at it.”

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