Page 56 of Just One Fake Date

“I do, although it’s not my experience that they go astray.”

“Oh, it’s totally mine,” she said lightly but Tyler didn’t smile. She retrieved her camera and went back to work then, leaving Tyler to talk to Kyle as she grabbed a few more shots that she didn’t need. She was well aware that Tyler was watching her, but tried to ignore him.

She pretty much failed.

Her thoughts were spinning. She had to decide about the new deal.

Dinner with Tyler.

Potential savings on her roof.

By the time she finished with Theo, Shannyn had decided it would be petty to pass up the opportunity to save some money—even though she knew that wasn’t the real reason she’d call Derek. Only time would tell whether Derek did her roof or not, but the price of having his information was just dinner. She was going to the wedding. It did make a kind of sense for her and Tyler to know more about each other.

She couldn’t pretend she wasn’t interested. The fact was that if this was the sum of the deal, the total of the time they’d spend together, Shannyn wanted every minute of it.

She was greedy like that. Following impulse might be new to her, but she wanted it all.

Besides, there was rain in the forecast for the next week. Before going down to the basketball court at eleven, Shannyn would make the call.

She glanced up, decision made, and found Tyler still watching her. Could he read her thoughts? Probably not. She gave him a thumbs-up and was rewarded with a slow smile that made her simmer to her toes.

Dinner would definitely not be an endurance test.

Ty watchedShannyn work and was struck by her quiet effectiveness, as well as her confidence with the camera. The pictures she’d shown him were sharp and tightly composed, and it was hard to believe she could take so many good ones in rapid succession. No doubt about it, Shannyn knew what she was doing.

He really hoped she applied for the job to take pictures for Meesha’s new initiative, but he already knew her well enough not to push.

It was only when she finished taking her shots of Theo on the track and they all headed down to the basketball court that Ty realized she still hadn’t taken any candid shots of him. Why not?

Kyle had set up the teams already, with Ty, Cassie and Theo against Kyle and Damon. Sonia had come in on her day off to work out and joined Kyle’s team, plus half a dozen other members who were regulars joined the game. Jax refereed. The game was boisterous and fast, with a lot of chatter and challenges from Kyle, and they had fun with it. Ty was well aware of Shannyn circling the perimeter of the court with her camera.

Kyle and Damon’s team won by 2 points, and there was a round of applause and fist-bumping all around. The partners then cleaned up and changed for a more formal shot in the lobby. Theo and Ty were in suits, Damon and Kyle in T-shirts and jeans, and Cassie in the same suit and heels that she’d worn to the last weekly meeting. They did as Shannyn directed, joking around as they posed, then Shannyn thanked them for their patience.

Ty went to her as she was tucking her camera into her messenger bag.

“Got what you need?” he asked.

She jumped a little, as if she hadn’t expected him to be there, then turned and smiled. “A lot more than I’d expected. I think the magazine will be pleased.”

“Because you do great work?” Ty asked as Kyle joined them.

Shannyn’s smile flashed. “Because you all look so great,” she replied. “Talk about being genetically blessed. You must be the best-looking team in Manhattan.” She looked as if she was going to say more, but stopped there.

“In the world!” Kyle corrected with his usual modesty and they laughed together. The partners drifted away and Shannyn zipped up her coat, then looked at Ty.

“Thanks for the job posting. I’m going to apply for it, too.” She shook a finger at him. “But only on the condition that you don’t pull any strings.”

Ty held up his hands. “Not me.”

She stepped closer. “If I find out that you fixed it, I’ll hurt you,” she said, her tone fierce, and Ty thought it was only natural to wonder if that might be a good thing. Before he could say as much, she continued. “I called Derek,” she confessed in a rush. “I’m meeting him at the house this afternoon.”

“Does that mean you want a ride?”

She bit her lip and Ty wished his presence could have been more welcome. “You really think he’ll expect you to be there?”

“I think Paige will.”

Shannyn’s eyes widened. “You think she’ll be there?”

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