Page 40 of Just One Fake Date

“Mom!” Once again, Ty had the sense that things were spinning out of control. He had to think that Shannyn would find this funny and was glad she wasn’t witnessing it. “Do not start planning a wedding.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Tyler. I have Katelyn’s wedding to manage right now. It will be at least six weeks before I can even think about arranging another, although it would be a good time to talk to the pastor...”

“Leave it, Mom.”

To Ty’s relief, she did, but he knew it wouldn’t last. “Do you think it will rain next Sunday? The gardens are so lovely and it would be ideal if people could go outside.”

“I haven’t checked the forecast, Mom.”

His mom chattered on for a few minutes, then took a deep breath. “You’re going to be stubborn about this, aren’t you?”

“It’s not optional.”

“I think you’re being mean...”

“Oh well. I’ve got to get to work, Mom.”

“What does Shannyn think about your work schedule?” his mom demanded.

“Bye, Mom.” Ty stared at his phone, wondering whether he was doomed to always be the one to end calls with his mom. Maybe it would be worth getting married just to have her ease up.

No, there’d always be another quest. He could be married with thirty kids and she’d want to know when the next one was coming.

If nothing else, Ty hoped his mom’s ability to change Paige’s mind held.

Something about this fake date had to get easier.

Shannyn rodethe train home on Wednesday, glad she’d gotten a seat. She’d been on the run all day, keeping up with the curator at the Morgan Library and Museum. They were lending some of their collection to the Met for the big exhibit on medieval books of days and it had been arranged for Shannyn to take photos. She hadn’t expected the curator to be so enthused—although she should have known better by now—and to have spent so much time choosing which pages to photograph. She hoped the images were as good as they looked in the viewfinder.

Thursday at the Met, Friday to fill in any gaps, Saturday at Flatiron Five Fitness, and with any luck, she’d still have Monday as a buffer. All good. She was not thinking about the train passing near Flatiron Five Fitness, or the proximity of one Tyler McKay, or of the fact that he hadn’t even texted her all day.

She had no expectations of him. It was official.

She wasn’t disappointed that he hadn’t followed up on the suggestion of making a new deal. Either he couldn’t solve her roof issue—and really, how could he do that?—or he didn’t want to. Shannyn wasn’t going to call and beg for Tyler’s attention.

He got plenty of that from women like Giselle.

Even if she was curious.

Even if it had been a guilty pleasure to talk to him in the middle of the night.

She’d talk to her mom Sunday night about what to wear to the wedding and see him again in June. It didn’t matter if that seemed like ten million years away.

Shannyn had work to do.

She checked her phone again, just to be sure.

And it rang, right in her hand.

Kirsten!

Shannyn was smiling when she answered. There was nothing better than a chat with her best friend.

Cassie thoughtit was a pretty sad commentary on her life that the weekly meeting for F5F was the highlight of her week. She was partner in a successful fitness club and she loved her work at the club, but the chance of seeing Ty McKay up close and personal put all that in the shade.

That man.

Cassie had always felt a powerful attraction to Ty, but it seemed he’d never even glanced at her—at least not in the way that mattered. He was polite. He acknowledged her abilities and invited her input in all matters related to Flatiron Five Fitness. He complimented her on her successes, but there was always a distance between them.

---