At Flatiron Five Fitness.
Which would give him time to invest in a relationship.
He knew exactly the one he wanted.
Shannyn was jumpy the whole way home. She didn’t know whether to be elated or exhausted, and she was both. She thought it had gone well. She hoped it had gone well. She wanted the work so badly she could taste it.
Waiting was the hardest part.
Once she got home, she ate and fed the cat, then looked for something to do. Aidan had left a note that he’d gone out for a beer, which was about as surprising as the sun rising in the morning.
Rather than sit and fantasize, Shannyn began the task of cropping and filtering the photographs of his journey. She saw a lot of Madrid, was impressed by his eye for composition and color, but even being immersed in what she did best didn’t distract her.
Then her phone rang.
Shannyn jumped. It was dark outside and Fitzwilliam was snoring on the empty laptop keyboard.
Her heart jumped when she saw it was Tyler.
“I didn’t do it,” he said when she answered.
“Do what?”
“I didn’t fix anything, make a single suggestion or encourage discussion to go in any direction. It was the longest and most excruciating meeting of my entire life, but fortunately, I have very smart partners.”
Shannyn dared to hope. “What does that mean?”
“They eventually came to the right conclusion.”
“About?”
“You. Theo suggested we offer you a full-time job, to do the social media work and the images and video for this new initiative. We’re all in agreement.”
Shannyn wanted to shout in triumph.
“But there are numbers to be crunched and budgets to be made. I don’t know when they’ll call you to make the offer. I just wanted you to know that I kept my promise.”
Shannyn hadn’t really had any doubt. Tyler was a man of his word, and she liked that, a lot. “Even though it nearly killed you.”
“Even though.” He agreed in a low voice, the one that made her hum. “And now I’m trashing rule number three, even though I agreed to no night phone calls, but then, you already pitched numbers one and two into the abyss.”
Shannyn laughed. “I guess it’s not all bad to break a rule to share good news.”
“That’s what I thought,” he agreed. “Plus I wanted to talk to you.” He continued before Shannyn could decide what to say to that. “You did a great presentation today. A little unconventional, but very compelling. You created this opportunity by yourself and you sold it by yourself.”
“They really like it?”
“That room was chaotic with all the ideas and interpretations. I’ve never seen anything like it. To say they’re excited is a huge understatement.” His voice softened again. “You did it, Shannyn. You shook our world and made a place for yourself in it. Great job.”
Shannyn felt flustered and pleased, a little bit daunted and very glad.
“Plus, you’re going to love the irony of this. You fixed my issue, too, the one I wouldn’t even admit I had.”
“I don’t understand.”
“My concern with moving full-time to the club and leaving Fleming Financial is revenue, plain and simple. I wanted the club to have a plan to move to the next level, and we didn’t know what that was. We’ve talked about opening sister clubs in other markets, but I wasn’t convinced of our inevitable success, and there would be a lot of capital outlay. This plan of yours might accomplish that beautifully.” He paused. “It might be my exit plan for Fleming Financial, which means I owe you.”
Shannyn’s heart leaped at that. “I thought you liked working at Fleming Financial.”
“I do, but if I need to choose, my commitment is with Flatiron Five Fitness.”
“I thought you didn’t need to choose. I thought you liked working all the time.”
“I’m starting to appreciate the merit of having something in my life other than work.”
He didn’t say more, though his tone was warm, and Shannyn chose to take a chance. “Would you like to go to that wedding with me?”
She heard his interest sharpen. “Kirsten’s wedding?”
“That’s the one.” Shannyn recalled her earlier doubts and felt she had to warn him. “I’m doing the photography, so you’d kind of be on your own, which isn’t very enticing...”
“Tell me when and where,” Tyler said, interrupting her crisply.
“You’re not busy? It’s in just a couple of days, on Saturday...”
“You have to know by now that I’ll do anything for you.” He carried on as if that was obvious, but the words stopped Shannyn’s heart for a second. “If I had plans, they’re cancelled. When and where, Shannyn?”
She told him the name and location of the restaurant, then realized she could just forward the invitation to him instead. “It’ll be a bit different from the weddings you’re used to,” she warned.
“Good. I’m getting used to having things shaken up once in a while.” He paused and she thought he was going to sign off. “Try not to give it away that you already know the good news when Cassie calls. That would spoil her fun.”
“I won’t. Thank you, Tyler.”
“And now I have something celebratory to do.”
“Should I know what that means?”
He laughed, just a little. “I think this time I’ll leave you guessing. Sleep well, Shannyn.”
Then Tyler was gone, leaving her looking at her phone, yearning for more.
Tyler McKay wasn’t typical of Chynna’s customers.
He was surveying her shop with open curiosity when she came out to meet him for his appointment, and then his gaze swept over her. He offered his hand, this impeccably dressed man in his suit and tie, and Chynna smiled as she shook it.
“First time?” she asked and he smiled.
“Guilty as charged.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” He was carrying a large envelope and he opened it, pulling out a sheet of paper. On it was printed the image of a tattoo. “I think this might be your work.”
Chynna smiled as she took the sheet and eyed the two fish, swimming in opposite directions. They were curved slightly, making a circle, and they looked like Japanese brushwork. It had been a piece for a customer who was a Pisces and Chynna had been proud of how it had come out. “It is. I haven’t seen it for a while.”
“I found it on his blog. I was looking for a yin yang symbol that was a bit different,” Tyler explained. “I thought this one looked like it was painted on his skin and I liked that.”
“I don’t repeat designs, though.”
“I thought that might be the case,” he said easily. “And I was looking for more contrast between the two fish. I wondered if you could use it as inspiration, because I don’t want a tattoo that is the same as anyone else’s either. That’s why I came to you.”
“Do you know a client of mine?”
“Shannyn Hawke.”
“The moons,” Chynna recalled with a smile.
“Do you remember every tattoo you’ve ever done?”
“Pretty much.” She surveyed him. “Where do you want it and how big?”
“I was thinking here,” he said, pointing to his left bicep and drawing a circle with his fingertip. “Is that a good place?”
“It’s a pretty common choice. Hurts less,” she added with a smile. “Come on back and let me work on a variation for you. It’ll take a while if you want it done tonight.”
“I do.” He was resolute, which Chynna liked.
“It won’t be cheap.”
That smile charmed her again. “The best things aren’t.”
Saturday dawned sunny and clear, the perfect day for a perfect wedding. Kirsten and Lukas were being married in a Soho restaurant owned by friends who had closed it to the public for the day. There was a roof courtyard where they planned to exchange their vows, then a buffet dinner would be set
up on the second floor. The bar on the ground floor would be open as well, and the dancing would be there.
Shannyn had decided to wear pants and boots so she’d be able to move around better, and had chosen a tuxedo for the day. There was no way she could manage her gear while in heels, too. She went to their apartment to take pictures of Kirsten getting dressed in the morning. Kirsten’s maid of honor was her twin sister, and her mom was there, as well. The apartment was filled with flowers and sunlight. They were all blondes and so pretty that the pictures looked like images from a fantasy. It was a wonderful and loving morning and Shannyn had tears in her eyes more than once.
The rooftop patio was also filled with flowers and Shannyn arranged drapes and lights to make sure that the pair would be properly illuminated. She took a lot of candid shots of guests arriving, knowing that Kirsten would want pictures of all the guests.
Her heart stopped cold when Tyler showed up, wearing that same blue suit as he’d worn to the shower and his sunglasses. Lukas was greeting people as they arrived and obviously guessed who he was. By the time Shannyn got to his side, they were shaking hands and already talking. She introduced them, well aware of Tyler’s warm gaze upon her.
“Do want me to guard your bag?” he asked and she surrendered the messenger bag with gratitude. “Go on. Do what you do. I’ll be here.”
Lukas introduced Tyler to someone then and it sounded as if they might already know each other. Shannyn knew that he’d be fine. She made the most of every minute, ensuring that she photographed every guest at least a couple of times. Tyler sat on the bride’s side for the service, and Shannyn went to stand beside him during the exchanging of the vows. She felt a little overwhelmed by the service, her throat tight as she saw the love between her best friend and partner. Tyler offered her a handkerchief and when their gazes met, he mouthed ‘four’ and winked. Shannyn smiled and dabbed her eyes, liking that he held her hand as well. His grip was warm and firm, and she found herself leaning against him a little bit.
It was too easy to get used to having him around.
For the moment, she decided to just enjoy.
Just as Shannyn had warned, the wedding was different from those Ty had attended before. It was both more casual and more romantic. There was a mix of people and styles of clothing and a warmth that was genuine and inescapable. No one stood on ceremony. He talked to Tate and Genevieve, who he’d met at Katelyn’s, who introduced him to another circle. It was easy, even though he was over-dressed, and Ty felt welcome. He loved watching Shannyn move around the crowd and through it.
There were hors d’oeuvres served on the patio with the champagne, and lots of conversation, everyone stopping to congratulate the new couple. Kirsten and Lukas were both tall and attractive people, who laughed often. Ty instinctively liked them both. It looked as if the bride might be pregnant and when Shannyn confessed that she was going to be a godmother, Tyler liked the new couple even more.
The crowd flowed down the stairs as the air cooled in the late afternoon. The restaurant was filled with flowers and candle light, as well as strands of fairy lights hung above. There was a buffet dinner and he loaded a plate for Shannyn as well as himself, staking out two places on the perimeter so it would be easy for her to stop and take a break. She didn’t manage it for long, because there were speeches, but he defended her plate until she came back to have another bite or two. She didn’t eat much, and he was wondering where he could take her for a late snack.
He was looking forward to showing Shannyn his new tattoo and smiled as he imagined her reaction.
If this was his new normal, it suited Ty just fine.
Seventeen
Much later, after the first dances, Shannyn was flicking through the images on the viewfinder, reviewing the pictures she’d taken and ensuring she hadn’t missed anything obvious. She’d even gotten a shot of Cole and Amanda. She’d been surprised to see them in attendance, then recalled that Cole was in the same group of friends as Lukas. She’d used her zoom for that one and was proud of her composure.
She reminded herself that she didn’t care about Cole. He wasn’t part of her life anymore and that was just fine.
“Do you get a reward now?” Tyler asked and she felt his hand fall on the back of her waist. He was carrying two glasses of sparkling water in his other hand. Shannyn’s heart went thump at the sight of him.
“Just making sure I got everyone. Thank you.”
“Grandmas?” he asked, surveying the crowd.
“All four.”
“Grandpas?”
“Both.”
“Auntie Myrna?”
“I have lots of her. Isn’t she fun?”
“She’s great.” Ty touched the rim of his glass to hers. “You’re really working hard.”
“I want it to be perfect.”
“Looks like everything has gone like clockwork.” They sipped as one. “Did you get all the guests, or are you supposed to?”
“I think I have everyone in at least one shot, even you.” Shannyn turned to scan the crowd on the dance floor and her heart stopped cold.
Cole was working his way across the crowded dance floor, obviously targeting her. And that wasn’t the worst of it. The woman he was dragging toward her by the hand had to be his new wife, Amanda, and she had a visible baby bump. Shannyn felt hurt rise even as an icy chill swept over her.
He was coming to gloat, the bastard. She could tell by his expression, and it made her feel sick.
“What?” Tyler asked with quiet urgency.
“My ex, closing fast.”
“Then turn toward me,” he whispered, bending lower as if telling her a secret. “And look up and smile, as if you’re completely unaware of him.”
Shannyn did as he suggested. His gaze was intense, much to her surprise, but his attention was fixed on her. “Done,” she said quietly.
Tyler smiled his slow and dangerous smile. “Do you really want to prove to him that he broke your heart?”
Shannyn opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again, unable to argue under that perceptive gaze.
“It’s surrendering power to him. Don’t give him that.” Tyler leaned closer and she felt his breath against her ear. She closed her eyes and shivered. “He doesn’t deserve it.”
“No.” She released the word like a sigh, and realized she wasn’t thinking about Cole anymore. She reached up and touched Tyler’s mouth, tracing the line of his lips with a fingertip. He smiled and his gaze warmed, and she wondered if he was remembering what she’d said about his mouth. “What he deserves is far, far worse.”
Tyler turned slightly, then kissed her fingertips. His other hand was stroking her back gently, turning her bones to butter. His gaze was locked with hers and Shannyn felt her heart skip. “Tell me,” he invited in a low rumble.
“He deserves to have someone trash his car,” Shannyn said. “To throw his stereo under a bus.”
“That’s all?”
Shannyn took a breath and met his gaze. “To have his balls cut off and fed to him, with his ego finely diced on the side.”
Tyler’s brows rose. “Not fierce, my ass.”
The words were so unexpected that she laughed out loud. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction just before she heard Cole clear his throat.
And she realized the image Tyler had created.
Nice, she mouthed and shook her head. Tyler grinned, untroubled, then she turned to face her ex. With Tyler’s hand on her back, she felt able to stand tall and pretend it didn’t matter at all.
It was after Cole had led his new wife away that Shannyn realized it didn’t matter.
That was new. The old wound didn’t burn anymore. Cole’s presence—even his existence—didn’t infuriate her or reduce her to tears. She didn’t care whether he had everything he wanted or not. She wished him well, actually, but was moving on.
Shannyn was thinking instead about another man standing behind her and helping her confront her fears. She was thinking about
Tyler’s hand on her back and his reliability and just how damn hot he was and she realized that he was everything she’d ever wanted. She’d fallen in love with Tyler and he wasn’t disappearing from her life.
All she had to do was trust that everything could be theirs.
The realization sent a surge of joy through Shannyn and she immediately wanted to celebrate.
She turned to Tyler, knowing her happiness showed. “Do you want to dance?”
Something changed.
It had happened when Shannyn talked to Cole but Ty couldn’t immediately put his finger on why. She seemed suddenly reckless and he was a bit surprised by her urge to dance. It was as if she was trying to avoid the hurt or ignore it, and while he sympathized, her reaction wasn’t very encouraging.
He claimed her bag with her camera and entrusted it to the bartender, along with a fifty to guarantee that the guy watched it and a promise of another when they picked it up. He led Shannyn to the dance floor but before they joined the throng, a waiter passed with a tray of shooters. To his surprise, Shannyn took one and tossed it back, returning the empty glass to the tray. She seized Tyler’s hand and he didn’t trust her apparent happiness.
It was an act.
He’d never seen her take a drink. She was trying to compensate for something.
And Tyler guessed with painful clarity what that was. He’d thought before that she was pushing him away because she was in love with another guy—he’d been right about that but wrong about the guy.
She still loved Cole.
It was the only thing that could make Ty back away from the challenge of persuading her to give them a chance.
When Shannyn reached for another shooter, Ty plucked it out of her hand and drank half of it before she could. She finished it, her eyes shining with defiance, and he knew the evening that had held so much promise was going to go straight to shit.
It made his new tattoo hurt, but he didn’t regret a thing.
In the end, he carried Shannyn and her bag out of the wedding, poured them both into a cab and took her home. The tequila had hit her hard, probably because she was so tiny. Maybe she was exhausted, too. He hadn’t seen her eat a lot and wondered whether she’d even had lunch.
Just One Fake Date: A Contemporary Romance (Flatiron Five Fitness Book 1) Page 31
