Page 117 of Just One Fake Date

“No, you don’t. I like you just the way you are, but I like fixing things, and I like fixing things for you. Is that a crime?”

“No. It’s kind of sweet, actually.” Shannyn sighed. “Evennice.”

Ty smiled. “Am I going to need to carry a sewing machine?” he teased back, liking that she laughed.

“Not this time. I’m focused.” She spoke with resolve but Ty didn’t believe it for a moment. If she spotted a gem, she’d grab it—and he’d deal with whatever complications it brought. “Sizes, please.”

“Lunch,” he countered.

“Just how long of a break do you get?”

“As long as I take. There’s a market with food trucks right around the corner. We can eat quickly there.”

“Okay,” Shannyn said as if it was a huge concession. “But only if I find something. I’ll let you know.”

And just like that, Ty’s day looked a thousand times better.

In two hours,Shannyn had it all arranged. She’d found two pairs of heavy overalls, both in good shape, both in the same store. There were three pairs of boots, but she thought the ones with steel toes that were in the same thrift shop as the overalls were the best deal. She wheedled to have her best choices held for two hours, then called Tyler.

She waited for him outside the thrift store, easily spotting him as he strode into view. Her pulse went crazy when his gaze locked on her and he smiled that wicked little smile that made her flush to her toes.

Temptation, thy name is Tyler McKay.

What if he was right?

It was a tantalizing possibility.

He caught her close and gave her a triumphant kiss, leaving Shannyn dizzy. “What’s that for?”

“You deserve a reward for taking the challenge,” he said easily. “And I deserved one for not breaking rule number three, two nights in a row.”

He winked and opened the door of the shop for her, then followed her inside. Shannyn could feel his curiosity and saw that he was looking around. More than one shopper checked him out, and Shannyn knew that many of them were assessing that suit. He didn’t try on the overalls, just held them up and compared them, checking seams as diligently as Shannyn had. He was a decisive shopper and she could imagine him cutting his way through a men’s boutique, choosing shirts and ties with lightning speed, then snapping down his gold card.

Maybe he was just motivated about lunch. That usually sped Aidan up.

Tyler tried on the boots, walked a bit and crouched down. “You’re right,” he said to Shannyn. “These will work out great.”

He carried it all to the cashier and did put down his gold card.

“Going slumming?” the cashier teased.

“Helping with my girlfriend’s new roof,” Tyler replied easily, his words startling Shannyn.

The cashier winked at her. “First time roofing?”

“Yes.” He smiled and Shannyn saw the clerk be dazzled. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“You’re going to besore,” the woman said and Ty laughed.

“Probably. But anything to make her happy.” He smiled at the cashier and picked up the bag, then headed for the door and lunch. The cashier watched him go, then gave Shannyn a thumbs-up.

Anything to make her happy.

It was just a line, it had to be, just a performance.

And yet, Shannyn did feel happy. Ty extended his hand and she hurried to place hers in his without even thinking about it. He led her to the market, suggesting that they try the banh mi sandwiches so they could compare with hers on the weekend. He made her laugh, just as if she really was his girlfriend, and Shannyn didn’t have it in her to ruin the mood.

Maybe three weeks with this man would be worth a broken heart.

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