Page 53 of Just One Fake Date

The women filed out of the workout room, chatting to each other and planning their days. “It’s not just a gym, is it?” Shannyn asked, starting to understand F5F’s success. “It’s a community.”

“That’s always been our goal,” Cassie said. “People feel a stronger commitment, not just to their own exercise program but to the club, if they have an emotional bond. We have chat boards and mingling sessions so members can meet each other socially as well as in class.”

“And there’s the dance club.”

Cassie laughed. “Kyle’s brilliant idea. It makes so much sense in a way, because once you tone up, you want to show off.” She gave Shannyn a curious glance. “You should stop in one night. It’s fun.”

“Were you a dancer before?”

Cassie looked surprised when she nodded. “How did you know?”

“Rock-hard calves and slim thighs. Only women who seriously danced in their teens and twenties have those legs in their thirties.”

“Then I guess it was worth something after all.” Cassie’s smile was bright. “Who are you looking for next? Tyler?”

“Kyle or Theo. Then I need that group shot.”

“Lap pool for Kyle. It’s not on the schedule but he’s always there at this hour on Saturday. I don’t think Theo’s in yet.” She raised her brows. “And Tyler, of course, will be doing his heavy lifting in the office.” Shannyn didn’t say anything. Why was Cassie so sure she wanted to see Tyler? “Kyle set up a basketball game for eleven since Ty said you wanted candid shots.”

“That’s a great idea. Thanks.”

Shannyn headed out, well aware that Cassie was watching her.

Why?

Kyle was helping a member with a shallow dive. Shannyn had the sense that it was spontaneous instruction, not a booked lesson, and got a few shots before they were aware of her. She shook her head as she reviewed the images on the camera, amazed by the genetic good fortune of the partners. It didn’t hurt that they were all perfectly toned, either, muscled up in all the right places and well-groomed.

They were the best possible advertising for their own venture. It was incredible that they hadn’t realized as much—which just might mean that there was an opportunity for Shannyn. She just had to figure out a way to present her revelation as a marketable idea, one they could hire her to execute.

There had to be a way.

She’d finish up with Kyle, then find Theo before the game.

Tick tock.Ten o’clock.

Four hours since the club had opened for the day, two and a half days since Ty had talked to Shannyn, three days since he’d ensured that Paige wouldn’t barge into Shannyn’s house and terrify her with her nosiness.

Not that he thought Shannyn would be easily terrified.

Today was the day, if she had called Derek for a quote, but Ty didn’t know what she was going to do. He had no clue whether she had called Derek. He had no idea what would happen with Shannyn in the next twelve hours of his life.

He should be getting used to that.

He didn’t know if he was going to be at her house when Derek came by, whenever that might be, if they were going to have dinner at all—never mind if she was going to come to the bridal shower. He’d put off his mom a bunch of times.

Ty drummed his fingers on the table in the conference room, then checked his phone again. Nothing. Not an email or a text message, much less a call. For someone who said her main concern was getting a new roof, Shannyn didn’t seem very interested in his solution.

He wanted to negotiate the terms of their next deal, but she wasn’t playing along.

Ty knew that wasn’t a coincidence. If there had ever been a woman who liked to mess with his expectations, it was Shannyn. He knew she’d arrived at the club a few hours before. He knew she had a job to finish, but still.

Why didn’t she come to take any pictures of him?

Someone came into the office and Ty got to his feet, turning to the door. He hid his disappointment that it was Theo. “Running late?”

Theo dropped his workout bag and hung up his coat, then yawned as if he couldn’t help himself. “Jet lag. It’s wicked this time.”

“Going west is the worst,” Ty agreed. “I never asked you how your dad’s doing.”

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