Page 96 of Just One Fake Date

Finally, she put down her knife and fork, then took a breath as if the confession was going to cost her. “It was my dad’s nickname for me.”

The dad who had died. Ty realized he was in emotional territory.

“He used to love all those cartoons with Bugs Bunny.” She smiled a little in recollection, a bittersweet smile. “He had all the videos and we used to watch them together.”

Ty still didn’t understand. “But Taz was the Tasmanian Devil.”

“Right.”

“Why would he call you that?”

She picked up her fork again. “I’ll take that as a hint that you can’t believe I was a bad kid.”

“No, I can’t.”

“Well, I was. Unpredictable, he said.”

“I’m with him there.”

“And wild.” She widened her eyes as if that was enough, but Ty shook his head.

“Not a chance.”

“It’s true.” There was an edge in her voice. She met his gaze. “Don’t you believe my answer?”

“I do, but that doesn’t answer the question.”

“Technically, it does.”

“Technically, it doesn’t. Your dad called you that, but why does Aidan still use that nickname?”

“Sentimentality?”

“I don’t think he’s a sentimental type.”

Her smile was quick and a little bit guilty.

Ty dug in. “You said you were adopted. Was this your biological father?”

Shannyn was quick to shake her head. “No. I have no idea who he was. Maybe my biological mom didn’t either. I never met him, as far as I know.”

Her defenses were rising and she was getting prickly, which meant Ty was close to an interesting confession. “Tell me about the dad you did know,” he invited, keeping his tone light.

“Now you’re asking two questions?”

“I’m still pursuing the answer to the first one.” Their gazes held and Ty was sure that she was going to blow him off. He didn’t look away and to his relief, she nodded agreement.

“Okay. Fair enough. Aidan and I were adopted together, even though we aren’t biological siblings.” Ty frowned and she held up a hand. “I’ll save you a question,” she said lightly. “We were at the same foster home.”

“How old were you?”

“Five. Remember what I said about my being a bad kid. No one wanted me, and I don’t blame them. Aidan, though.” She sighed. “Everyone adored Aidan. I hated his guts.”

Ty chuckled. “I can understand that reaction.”

Shannyn laughed at him. “But that was because of your own assumptions.”

“What about your five-year-old-self’s assumptions about Aidan?”

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