Page 52 of What Started In Deception

“You, too,” the couple said at the same time.

Jamie studied Ty, none too subtly. “We had no idea that you were seeing anyone.”

Lydia shrugged. “We’ve been keeping things pretty low-key.”

“There’s no shame in that,” Greg said.

Ty nodded as he smiled, wanting to fist-pump the air. Lydia was currently killing it.

“How have you been feeling?” Lydia asked Jamie.

“Surprisingly good. I’m hoping it stays that way.”

“Aw, I bet.”

“Well, we’ll let you get back to your walk,” Greg said. “Ty, it was nice to meet you. Lydia, we’ll see you way too soon.”

Lydia laughed. “Summer always seems to pass in a blink.”

“Don’t we all know it,” Jamie added.

Lydia waved as Greg and Jamie walked off.

Ty snagged her hand again as they continued down the path, stopping when he realized that she was frowning as she stared at the ground. “What’s wrong?”

“I told them you’re my boyfriend.”

“I know. Good job.”

She shook her head, pulling away from him. “It just came out of my mouth. I didn’t even have to think about it.”

“That’s exactly what we want.”

She turned away from him, still frowning.

He turned her back, staring into troubled hazel eyes. “All of this needs to be automatic.”

“I don’t like it—that it was so easy to lie.”

“It’s just for a few weeks. Everything will go back to normal before you start the new school year.” He hooked his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against his side as they started walking again. “That was good stuff, Lyd.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Tell me about Jamie and Greg,” he said, wanting to get her out of her head. She’d done everything exactly right. He didn’t want her overthinking it. “I feel like there’s a story there.”

“Jamie teaches second grade, and Greg’s one of our physical education teachers.”

“They’re married?”

She shook her head as her shoulders started to relax, wrapping her arm around the back of his waist. “They’ve been dating for about a year. She just found out that she’s pregnant, which wasn’t the plan.”

He winced. “Oops.”

She nodded. “They were using a cycle tracking method and had a bit of a mishap.”

He winced again. “That’s why I’m a fan of condoms. I always have been.”

“Andy was, too.” She looked at him. “You’ve never had condomless sex?”