Page 55 of Just One Fake Date

Bracing herself, she turned to find him right behind her. He was wearing a black T-shirt with an F5F logo that stretched over his pecs, proof that he didn’t spend all his time in the office. She risked an upward glance and the intensity of his gaze made her glad she wasn’t his type. Otherwise, she’d have been incinerated on the spot.

That mouth.

“So, what’s the plan?” he asked.

“I thought you knew. Game at eleven, formal shot at noon...”

“About Derek and the roof,” Tyler said, interrupting her.

“I haven’t decided whether to call him or not.” She checked her camera unnecessarily, doubting that he’d let it go that easily.

“Why not?”

“I just haven’t.”

He moved to stand beside her, as if he wanted to loom in her peripheral vision. Maybe he wanted to make sure she couldn’t ignore him, although there was zero chance of that happening. “I could give you a ride, then be there this afternoon when Derek stops by.”

She regarded him warily. “Why do I sense that you have a plan?”

“Because I always do. You need a roof. I’m trying to solve that. Then you’ll agree to dinner.” He smiled, but he was watching her closely as if she was unpredictable. “We go tonight.”

Shannyn decided to tell him the truth. “I hate the sense that I’m being cornered into following anyone else’s plan.”

“You’re not. We made a deal. We’re making another one.” There was that steel in his tone again and a glint of resolve in his gaze. “That was your idea.”

“True. Still, I feelmanaged.”

“No. You’re not. You’re the one who said everything is a negotiation, so let’s stick to the plan. Roof for you, dinner with me, wedding date and that’s it.”

And the end of their fake relationship. He wasn’t even opening negotiations on the rehearsal dinner and the hotel.

Tyler flicked a glance across the track. “And now Kyle is closing fast, so please pretend this conversation isn’t happening and show me your pictures instead.”

“What about our fictional relationship history?”

“We don’t have one with Kyle around.” Tyler’s eyes widened in mock fear. “He’s merciless.”

“You’re afraid of him.”

“I respect his ability to make my life miserable.”

Shannyn couldn’t help smiling. “Maybe I’ll teach you to respect mine.”

“I already do,” Ty said, almost under his breath. Shannyn glanced up to find his eyes sparkling. “You defy every expectation I have.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“It’s an interesting thing,” he said, as if he meant it, and Shannyn had to turn away from that intense gaze.

She gave him the camera instead. She showed him how to flick through the images to display them on the viewfinder. Their arms brushed and she was well aware of his muscled strength so deliciously close beside her. She could feel the heat of his skin and wanted to reach out and touch him.

“These are really great,” he said, as if surprised.

“It’s what I do.”

“Well, you’re good at it.” He shot another of those incisive looks at her, the ones that could leave a scar. “Why didn’t you become a teacher? Wasn’t that your plan?”

Shannyn shouldn’t have been surprised that he remembered but she was. She tried to deflect his interest. “You know what they say about best laid plans.”

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