Page 38 of Catching a Con Man

“That you’re going out with the guy who tried to defraud you.”

“This weekend.”

“Sunday dinner?”

“Yeah. Why not?” I said with a lot more confidence than I felt. “Everyone will love Tyler.”

* * *

Despite my false bravado with Cam, my heart was hammering against my ribcage when I knocked on Tyler’s office door later on that day. Business deals, I could do. Sex? I thought I was pretty skilled in that area. But taking a relationship tomeet the parentslevel? That was a scary prospect.

“Come in,” he called.

“Hey. You look good,” I said. Because he did. Silhouetted in the glow of the midday sun, in the full office-chic outfit I’d bought him.

“You saw me three hours ago, and I looked like this, if slightly less tired. But thank you.” Tyler smiled and beckoned me closer. “Look at what arrived for me today.”

On the floor next to Tyler’s desk there was a white box, and he leaned down to pull the top off. Inside was a folded velvet dressing gown in dark grey. Tyler took a small white card and held it out. On the front was Holden Quinn’s monogram, and his number. On the reverse he’d scribbled.Here whenever you need me - H

“Considering Holden hasn’t sent me so much as a birthday text since I was twelve, you should be honoured.”

“Believe me, I am. And my ratty old dressing gown in the house has so many holes in it, it may as well be a net.”

I laughed, and looked around for somewhere to put the package, realising for the first time that Tyler’s office still comprised only his desk and the chairs we’d supplied. “Have you started using your office stipend yet? The place is looking a little…bare.”

Tyler hesitated, looking a little embarrassed. “It feels weird to spend thousands on decorating a room when my whole bedroom at home is free Gumtree finds.”

“I know, it’s just…” It was my turn to hesitate. “You’re going to be working with people whose net worth dwarfs mine. Part of that is in impressing them with your business skills, your charm…but an important part of this life is making sure you look the part too.”

Tyler nodded once. “Payday is next week. I think the concept ofthousands of poundsmight feel a little bit more real once I actually have thousands of pounds myself. But you’re right. I charmed one billionaire by pretending to be comfortable with money. I can do that again.”

“Three, if we’re counting Holden and Michael. Speaking of…” my heartbeat picked up again. “Think you can pull that with my whole family?”

“What do you mean?”

“Mum makes cooked dinner every Sunday. Standing invite, and I’m going this Sunday. Would you…like to come with me?”

“Meeting the family?” Tyler blanched. “Won’t like…half of them hate me?”

“Statistically, no. My father and Bennett will be the most wary, because Dad doesn’t trust my judgement and Bennett thinks my father is God on earth. But you’ve already got me and Cam on side, my mother will love you, and Dylan and Eliza will fall for your charms just as much as I did.”

“Right, and me meeting the family means…” Tyler tailed off.

“Exactly what I said earlier. That I am serious about you. That I want you to meet my family because I envision you being a permanent fixture.”

“Oh.” Tyler stood and pulled me into a sudden hug, and I smoothed my hands down his back. “I think I just find the concept of anyone wanting mepermanently…I can’t wrap my head around it. Not yet. But you’re helping me get there.”

“Tyler, I…” I knew what I wanted to say. I knew it was too soon, and yet something that had been obvious since the day we’d met. I loved him. But the words were so hard to get out when I didn’t know if he’d return them, or if he was ready to hear them. “…I really care about you.”

“I really care about you too,” Tyler muttered, his voice muffled by my shirt. “Yes, I’ll come for Sunday dinner. Let your mother know I eat more than this little body suggests.”

“Already have, my love.” I kissed the top of his head. I was on top of the world.

What i didn’t realise in that moment was how quickly the world would end up on top of us.

Tyler

Iwas a little bit nervous. OK, I was very nervous. But Ade’s hand hadn’t strayed from my knee since we’d left his flat that morning, other than the short time he’d waited outside the flat whilst I got changed into some appropriate attire in which to meet his family. Ade had wanted to follow me in, to see my place. But that was a part of our two worlds that I did not want to collide. He’d done enough to reassure me I was enough, but I worried if he saw my grotty little flat with its threadbare carpets and IKEA furniture, he’d be running for the hills before I could saybut I am rich now just pay me at the start of the month.

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