Page 143 of Just One Fake Date

He heard it through the phone and in real life too. He smiled when he saw a battered Land Rover coming down the street, leaving a haze of smoke behind it. Ty took the steps three at a time and reached the curb just as Aidan pulled in there. The Land Rover backfired again, choked and died.

“See?” Aidan said to Shannyn, his tone triumphant. “I told you it would make it.”

“Don’t get towed from a no parking zone on my account,” Shannyn said as Ty opened the door. She looked up at him, her manner suddenly shy. “Hi,” she said and blushed a little. “I just thought you should know that I haven’t loved Cole for a long long time.”

Ty stared at her, hope making his chest tight.

“There’s this other guy who stole my heart when I wasn’t looking,” she admitted. “I love surprising him but in the end, he surprised me. I just wanted to celebrate that realization with him last weekend, but I got it all wrong.”

“I don’t think you got it that wrong.”

“Is your offer still open?” That she could even wonder meant that Ty had work to do.

“Always and forever.” He saw her eyes light and opened her door.

Being Shannyn, of course, she didn’t just step out of the vehicle: she threw herself at him. Ty caught her close and spun her around , feeling her heart pound against his own. He put her down on the steps and stepped back to survey her. She looked fabulous, in a sleeveless dress that was somewhere between navy and purple. He could see her tattoos and the combination, with her silver jewelry and light make-up gave her that arty elegant look he so admired.

“You’re taller,” he said, surprised.

She laughed and held up one foot, showing off her shoes, which had high stilettos and red soles. “I thought it would be fun to be in the same zip code for a change,” she said, her eyes dancing with mischief.

“So, I’m not the only one with plans.” Ty kissed her again. When he finally lifted his head, he put her down on the step above him and looked into her eyes. There was a suspicious glimmer of tears there, but she was a little flushed and looked much happier than she had. “I thought you wouldn’t come,” he admitted.

“Don’t start underestimating yourself now.” She poked him in the arm and Ty winced. Her eyes narrowed a little. “You’re pretty persuasive, Tyler McKay.”

“And you, Shannyn Hawke, are full of surprises.”

She touched his arm again, watching him closely. “What did you do?”

“I took a chance and got a tattoo to celebrate finding a little yin for my yang,” he admitted, loving how delighted she was.

“What is it?”

“I’m not telling.”

“I want to see.”

“You’ll have to wait.”

“I stink at waiting.”

“Oh well.” Ty laughed at her outrage, then bent to kiss her again.

Aidan cleared his throat. “There’s the small matter of luggage, my lady,” he said, proving that his British accent needed as much work as his Robin Williams’ impression.

Ty fished his car keys out of his pocket. He cast them in Aidan’s direction, then bent to capture Shannyn’s lips beneath his own. She locked her arms around his neck and kissed him back, as passionate and welcoming as in his best dreams.

She was here. She had come.

And she didn’t love Cole anymore.

He heard Aidan use the remote to unlock the car, an excellent way to locate it, but didn’t pay much attention as Aidan strode away, swinging Shannyn’s overnight bag.

When he lifted his head, he was sure there was only one thing missing in his world. “Marry me?” he asked and Shannyn laughed.

“Yes!”

Ty caught her close again, feeling lucky and thinking. “You’re concocting a plan,” she accused as he saw Aidan returning.

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