Page 105 of Just One Fake Date

Then Paige thrust Ethan into Shannyn’s arms. Ty had forgotten about the Mommy Test and he certainly hadn’t warned Shannyn, and that had been his mistake.

Shannyn looked as if she’d been struck to stone, and was holding the baby like he was a ticking bomb.

Her expression lasted only a heartbeat but it spoke volumes. Ty had no idea what was wrong, only that he had to fix it. He cut through the crowd between himself and the patio, and plucked Ethan out of Shannyn’s arms. He didn’t miss the flash of relief in her eyes.

“Look at you!” he said to the baby, holding him high overhead. Ethan gurgled and kicked with delight. “You must be double the size of when I saw you last.” He swung Ethan down, prompting the baby to laugh, then settled him in the crook of his elbow on the opposite side of Shannyn.

She seemed a bit subdued, which he couldn’t explain.

Until he realized his mom was watching her closely.

That had to be record time for things going to shit.

Ty put his other arm around Shannyn and pulled her against his side, dropping a kiss to her temple. “Have they terrified you yet?” he teased in a stage whisper and everyone laughed lightly.

Shannyn slid her arm around his waist and held on, a move that spoke volumes.

Paige, Derek, and his mom greeted him, then Lauren teased him about finding a safe enough place to park his car. He admitted it was in Maine. They all laughed together, then Ty glanced down at Shannyn again.

“You don’t even have a glass of wine yet,” he said, then shook his head. “Some kind of welcome you offer around here. My date walks in the door and you give her a baby.” He sniffed. “Isn’t there something that needs tending?” he asked and handed Ethan back to Derek. He let his hand slide to the back of Shannyn’s waist and traced little circles there with his thumb, hoping to reassure her.

“We were just talking about Shannyn’s house,” Paige said.

“And Paige’s diabolical plan to guide the conversation to the furniture Shannyn scored,” Derek added in an undertone.

Paige swatted him. “Not yet,” she whispered and Derek rolled his eyes.

“I only got it home with your help,” Shannyn said to Derek with a smile. “Thank you.”

“No worries. It was kind of fun. Especially to see Ty out of his element.”

“Show Mom that picture,” Paige prompted and Derek dug out his phone.

“Can’t the lady have a sip of wine first?” Ty pulled Shannyn closer. “Come on. Knowing my aunt, there will be a dozen kinds, so you’ll need to choose.” Without waiting for her answer, he took her by the hand and led her away.

“Thank you,” Shannyn whispered when they were out of earshot of the others.

“I should have warned you about the Mommy Test.” He stopped and pulled Shannyn into his arms, bending to whisper to her. He meant it to look like they were lovers, but it felt good to hold her like this. It felt even better that she didn’t pull away.

And his family, apparently able to take a hint for once, kept their distance.

Ty knew that wouldn’t last.

“You couldn’t have known,” Shannyn said softly.

She placed her hands on his chest and looked up at him as he tightened his embrace. He liked the feel of her against him and the smell of her perfume.

“I know what they do...”

She flicked an intent look up at him. “No, you couldn’t have known how I’d respond.”

“But...”

“Because you don’t know why. I’ll tell you later,” she whispered, such an appeal in her eyes that his heart clenched. “It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have guessed.” She reached up to touch a fingertip to his mouth, silencing him with a gesture. He kissed her fingertip and not just for show, remembering her words. He smiled slowly and watched her eyes light. Shannyn’s voice turned husky. “I was just surprised, and I admitted to your mom that I don’t want kids.”

“That would not have been well-received.”

“Nope, it wasn’t.” Shannyn’s tone was resolute and she averted her gaze from his. Ty didn’t know the details but he understood the bottom line. Someone had hurt her. It had something to do with a baby. Had Cole taken their child? Had a baby died? Ty’s imagination went into overdrive, taking his protective urges to a new high.

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