Page 146 of Just One Fake Date

“So, don’t drop what you have while you reach for something else. I made that mistake, so don’t make it, too.” Shannyn knew she’d almost made it again and could have lost Tyler.

“Okay. That’s good advice. Thank you, Shannyn.” Stephanie gave her a hug. She was tall, if not as tall as Tyler, and Shannyn couldn’t help but noticing the difference in their heights.

“I’m definitely the shrimp in this crowd,” she said with a smile.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Stephanie said. “I see how happy Tyler is with you, and I’m so glad.”

“Me, too.”

“Mom will come around. You’ll see.”

Shannyn hoped so. They hugged again and Shannyn stepped back. “I’d better go before they decide we’re plotting something nefarious in here.”

Stephanie’s smile was brighter this time. “I’ll be just a minute.”

They hugged again and Shannyn dried her own tears as she left Stephanie alone. To her surprise, when she rounded the corner to the outer room, Colleen was standing there silently. She must have come in at the same time the other woman had left. She’d obviously listened to the conversation, because she looked like she was fighting tears of her own. Colleen’s throat worked, then she mouthed the words ‘thank you.’ She reached out a hand and Shannnyn took it, giving her fingers a squeeze so that Stephanie wouldn’t be able to see her move.

Colleen’s gaze clung to hers for a long moment, and Shannyn knew then that everything would be just fine with her new mother-in-law. They squeezed each other’s hands, then Shannyn continued to the outer door. She glanced back to see Colleen took the step to talk to her daughter.

Ty was watching for her and Shannyn walked straight to him and into his arms, closing her eyes as he folded her against his chest. “Everything okay?” he asked with concern.

“I think it’s just fine,” she said, her words husky.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” he whispered.

“I have no idea. Probably not.” She took a deep breath of his cologne and slid her hands under his jacket and across his back. “You never think dirty.”

He chuckled. “I often think dirty. I just don’t tell you about it.”

“You should.”

“Careful what you wish for.”

Shannyn tipped her head back to survey him. “You don’t scare me, McKay.”

He smiled down at her. “I know. That’s part of your appeal, Hawke.”

“So, what were you thinking?”

“Let’s go home tonight instead of staying here.”

“What are you calling home? Your place or mine?”

His eyes became more green. “Only one place is home, Shannyn, and it’s the one with your mark all over it. Take me home with you tonight.”

“You just want Fitzwilliam to jump on you in the morning.”

“I don’t mind if he does.” Tyler raised a brow. “Although I am thinking about that third thing you like about living with a man.”

“Not just any man,” Shannyn said. “You.”

Tyler brushed his lips across hers. “And I didn’t even have to use my secret weapon.”

“Which one is that?”

“The fluffy bathrobe in the trunk of my car.”

Shannyn laughed at him. “I asked Derek about fixing my garage next.”

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