Page 113 of Just One Fake Date

“No wine. Sorry.”

“No worries.” Tyler returned to watch her finish the sauce, his heat close behind her back. His hand landed on the back of her waist and his thumb did that circle thing which was starting to drive her nuts. “What is it?”

“It’s called Midnight Pasta. You can make it quickly if you have the ingredients in the pantry. Onion, garlic, anchovies, capers, olive oil, chili pepper flakes, some parsley, fresh parmesan if you have it.” Shannyn shrugged. “It’s flexible. I’ve put leftover chicken in it before, but you lose.”

“Not hardly,” he murmured with a laugh, making her feel warm all over again. He smiled when she flicked a look his way and Shannyn knew her heart stopped cold. “It smells fabulous, like something even I could make.”

“Easy, easy.” Shannyn served it up and garnished the plates with freshly grated parmesan. They sat down and Tyler poured sparkling water into the wine glasses.

He frowned and she saw him glance down the corridor. He stared and Shannyn smiled, knowing who was making his entrance.

“The elusive cat,” he guessed.

“Fitzwilliam,” Shannyn said. She got up and put a bit of anchovy in the cat dish, but Fitzwilliam remained seated in the hallway. He watched Tyler with undisguised suspicion.

“Which Fitzwilliam?” he asked.

“Pride and Prejudice.”

“I know, but which one?”

She glanced up. “Excuse me?”

“Fitzwilliam Darcy or Colonel Fitzwilliam?” Tyler took a bite and closed his eyes, savoring, as she watched. “Wow. This is really good. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled. “Does it matter?”

“Of course, it matters. Which one inspired the name will tell me everything.”

“Everything?”

“Everything.”

“There’s a terrifying prospect.”

“You don’t look very frightened.”

“You really have the Austen references down pat.”

He held up four fingers, smiling when she laughed. “WatchingPride and Prejudiceis the universal tonic to all woes, romantic, financial, you name it. I think I know Darcy’s lines better than Colin Firth.”

“Fitzwilliam Darcy,” Shannyn admitted. “Now, what do you deduce from that?”

“Well, you named him for the brooding nobleman who keeps his romantic inclinations well hidden and is misjudged by others.” Tyler took another bite. “This is amazing,” he murmured, then nodded. “As opposed to the charming military man, who proves to be self-motivated in the end.” He took another bite, and seemed to be choosing his words. “It could be argued that the one who looks like a smug entitled asshole at the beginning proves to be the better man and the right man for Elizabeth.” He flicked one of those lethal looks at Shannyn. “She had it all wrong.”

“No, he changed because of her, maybe for her.”

“Exactly, but she failed to see his potential at first.”

Their gazes locked and held over the table, and Shannyn recalled Tyler’s challenge. Did people really change? She wasn’t convinced, but she was tempted to find out.

There was a yowl of complaint then, and a waving tail appeared in the doorway.

“Fish in the dish,” Tyler told Fitzwilliam, indicating the bowl.

The cat delivered a soliloquy about his dissatisfaction with the situation.

“He’s really vocal.”

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