Page 78 of Just One Fake Date

Aidan made a face. “Then you’re not cooking for me?”

“Not tonight. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

“Okay. I’ll get some take-out and finish the hutch for you.” Her brother was the most easygoing guy in the world.

“Eat something from the freezer, if you want.”

“But that’s your stash.”

“It’s okay. You might as well drink the last two bottles of beer.”

“It would just be wrong to leave them in your fridge when I leave. An imposition.” He raised his brows, as if alarmed by the idea of putting anyone out, and Shannyn couldn’t help but laugh.

“You are the biggest imposition known to mankind,” she teased him and he grinned.

“It’s a gift.” Then he sobered. “You going to talk to him?”

“I’m going to find out whether you’re right.”

“I am.” Aidan had no doubt in his conclusion. “He seemed like a straight arrow. Of course, he would walk if he thought we were a couple. That kind of shit wouldn’t be in his playbook.”

“Even if we had a deal not a date?”

Aidan gave her a look. “I’m not going to ask about that. I just think he’s the type to stand on principles, either way.”

Shannyn wasn’t convinced, but she was going to find out.

Ty’s phonebuzzed as he walked out of the office building where Fleming Financial was located. It was Wednesday night and and he was still in a bad mood. It was unusual for him to be out of sorts, but he couldn’t help it. Both his boss and his secretary had commented on it, even though he was trying to keep his thoughts hidden. He reached for his phone, willing to take any distraction.

It was a text from Shannyn.

He debated the merit of reading it for about half a second, then looked.

Aidan’s my brother.

Ty stopped cold in the street and stared at his phone. Someone bumped into him from behind and swore. Ty barely noticed. The other pedestrians flowed around him, but he was staring at Shannyn’s message.

Her brother?

He looked around, only to find Shannyn herself closing fast. She was dressed in her customary genderless black, her messenger bag bulging with something. She was also lugging what looked like a suitcase and Ty guessed from her posture that it was heavy.

It certainly didn’t slow her down.

“Youdidn’tthink otherwise,” she accused hotly. “Youcan’thave thought otherwise. You’re supposed to besmart.” She put the suitcase down and exhaled, her cheeks flushed from the effort of carrying it. Ty had never been more glad to see anyone in his life. “Tell me you didn’t imagine Aidan was my partner or significant other or anything truly deeply gross like that.”

Ty wanted to grin at her indignation.

“Of course I did,” he protested, then realized she was suggesting the conclusion was his own fault. “He picked you up. He swung you around. You greeted him with unbridled joy. Hetickledyou and knew all the best spots.”

“Unbridled joy,” she repeated then rolled her eyes. “He’s mybrother. He’s been gone two years. What a crazy assumption you made.”

“That’s not all. There’s a man’s razor in your bathroom.”

Shannyn stared at him. “How can you have four sisters and not be aware of the pink tax?”

“That’s just on...” Ty gestured.

“Hygiene products? No. It’s price gouging on all the things women use, especially toiletries. Shampoo, deodorant, you name it. And guys’ razors are way better quality.”

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