Page 134 of Just One Fake Date

“But there are numbers to be crunched and budgets to be made. I don’t know when they’ll call you to make the offer. I just wanted you to know that I kept my promise.”

Shannyn hadn’t really had any doubt. Tyler was a man of his word, and she liked that, a lot. “Even though it nearly killed you.”

“Even though.” He agreed in a low voice, the one that made her hum. “And now I’m trashing rule number three, even though I agreed to no night phone calls, but then, you already pitched numbers one and two into the abyss.”

Shannyn laughed. “I guess it’s not all bad to break a rule to share good news.”

“That’s what I thought,” he agreed. “Plus I wanted to talk to you.” He continued before Shannyn could decide what to say to that. “You did a great presentation today. A little unconventional, but very compelling. You created this opportunity by yourself and you sold it by yourself.”

“They really like it?”

“That room was chaotic with all the ideas and interpretations. I’ve never seen anything like it. To say they’re excited is a huge understatement.” His voice softened again. “You did it, Shannyn. You shook our world and made a place for yourself in it. Great job.”

Shannyn felt flustered and pleased, a little bit daunted and very glad.

“Plus, you’re going to love the irony of this. You fixed my issue, too, the one I wouldn’t even admit I had.”

“I don’t understand.”

“My concern with moving full-time to the club and leaving Fleming Financial is revenue, plain and simple. I wanted the club to have a plan to move to the next level, and we didn’t know what that was. We’ve talked about opening sister clubs in other markets, but I wasn’t convinced of our inevitable success, and there would be a lot of capital outlay. This plan of yours might accomplish that beautifully.” He paused. “It might be my exit plan for Fleming Financial, which means I owe you.”

Shannyn’s heart leaped at that. “I thought you liked working at Fleming Financial.”

“I do, but if I need to choose, my commitment is with Flatiron Five Fitness.”

“I thought you didn’t need to choose. I thought you liked working all the time.”

“I’m starting to appreciate the merit of having something in my life other than work.”

He didn’t say more, though his tone was warm, and Shannyn chose to take a chance. “Would you like to go to that wedding with me?”

She heard his interest sharpen. “Kirsten’s wedding?”

“That’s the one.” Shannyn recalled her earlier doubts and felt she had to warn him. “I’m doing the photography, so you’d kind of be on your own, which isn’t very enticing...”

“Tell me when and where,” Tyler said, interrupting her crisply.

“You’re not busy? It’s in just a couple of days, on Saturday...”

“You have to know by now that I’ll do anything for you.” He carried on as if that was obvious, but the words stopped Shannyn’s heart for a second. “If I had plans, they’re cancelled. When and where, Shannyn?”

She told him the name and location of the restaurant, then realized she could just forward the invitation to him instead. “It’ll be a bit different from the weddings you’re used to,” she warned.

“Good. I’m getting used to having things shaken up once in a while.” He paused and she thought he was going to sign off. “Try not to give it away that you already know the good news when Cassie calls. That would spoil her fun.”

“I won’t. Thank you, Tyler.”

“And now I have something celebratory to do.”

“Should I know what that means?”

He laughed, just a little. “I think this time I’ll leave you guessing. Sleep well, Shannyn.”

Then Tyler was gone, leaving her looking at her phone, yearning for more.

Tyler McKay wasn’ttypical of Chynna’s customers.

He was surveying her shop with open curiosity when she came out to meet him for his appointment, and then his gaze swept over her. He offered his hand, this impeccably dressed man in his suit and tie, and Chynna smiled as she shook it.

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