Page 66 of Just One Fake Date

“The rest is inside,” Shannyn said. “Hurry before he changes his mind.”

“If I get a ticket,” Derek began and Tyler waved off his concern.

“No worries.” He remained at the curb, defending the vehicles and the chair. He folded his arms across his chest, which gave him that Rock of Gibraltar look that Shannyn adored, and glared at a pedestrian who considered the chair with curiosity. That worked for her, too.

“I wouldn’t cross him for anything,” Derek muttered and Shannyn smiled. “How much is there?”

“Both the living room and kitchen,” Shannyn admitted. “Probably two trips.”

“Holy shit,” Derek said softly as he walked around the furniture stacked in the middle of the guy’s living room. “Definitely two trips.” He turned to the guy who was watching them. “Is that cool? I have to take it to Brooklyn but the traffic is bad today.”

“I just want it gone today,” the guy said.

“I want it all,” Shannyn said and exchanged cell phone numbers with him.

Derek was making a plan. “We’ll take the couch on the first trip, but Ty can help me get it to the truck. Take something smaller.”

Shannyn picked up a kitchen chair, deliberately breaking up the sets. Derek lifted the armchair that matched the one that had been at the curb. They headed toward the truck together and he dropped his voice. “Is it Danish?”

Shannyn knew then that he was a kindred spirit who appreciated her find.

“And signed on the underside of the dining room table,” she admitted, which made him whistle softly.

“Sweet. This is a smoking find,” he said to her. “You need it for your place?”

“I need it because it’s just wrong to leave it here.”

“You’re right about that. We’ll take all the cushions on this run, a little guarantee that the rest isn’t poached before we come back.”

“I like how you think.”

“I’ve got a couple of moving blankets, too. It’s just dumb luck that I forgot to take them out of the cab last night.”

“Maybe you’re psychic,” Shannyn teased and he laughed easily.

“Not me. Ty and I are the practical guys. We get shit done.”

“Let’s get to it, then,” Tyler said as they reached the curb, obviously having heard Derek’s words. Shannyn stood guard as they carried out the furniture and helped as much as she could. Tyler and Derek stacked it in the back of the pick-up, padding it with the moving blankets and some of the cushions. It was like a big jigsaw puzzle, and Tyler was the one who made it fit.

“Tight squeeze for two trips, but I think it will work,” he said.

“That leaves the kitchen table and hutch,” Derek said. “Plus a couple of chairs for next time. Easy.”

“He’s got a bookshelf in the basement,” Tyler told Shannyn. “I told him you wanted it, too.”

“Yes!” If Derek hadn’t been there, she would have kissed Tyler again. He smiled, his gaze clinging to hers, and she knew he’d guessed as much.

When it was all loaded up, Shannyn wanted to jump up and down with glee. Instead, she got in Tyler’s car. Her seat was pulled forward and she knew she was the luckiest woman in the world. Her thrifting mojo had jumped to new heights.

“I’ll follow you!” Derek called as he got into his truck.

The car already smelled like stale cigarette smoke and Shannyn could guess how Tyler felt about that.

“Thank you so much,” she said as he pulled out into traffic.

“I’ll have to get the car detailed. And my suit cleaned.” His tone was light, though, as if he was making fun of himself not her.

Shannyn smiled at him. “I understand. I owe you.”

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