Page 110 of Faking the Shot

Zac held up two white carrier bags. “Because I’m a very good fake boyfriend?”

She tugged him inside, and wrapped her arms around him. There was a crinkle of bags as he rearranged them then creased her in his arms. Big strong arms. Arms that held her. Arms that could shield her. Arms that protected. All wrapped up in care and concern that felt a lot like Jesus with skin on.

“I’m sorry this has happened,” he murmured into her hair.

“Me too.” Her voice, her body, shuddered. “I can’t seem to catch a break.”

He clutched her a little closer, as if trying to impart his strength to her. “I’ve heard Josiah Abrahams, he’s the pastor who sometimes leads our Bible studies, say that the moment of greatest pressure is just before the breakthrough.”

“I don’t know how much more pressure I can take,” she whispered.

He was quiet for a moment, and she could hear his heart thud steadily.Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.This man might be considered an elite athlete who created fireworks on the ice, but he was steady, sure, and strong.

“You can cope with the pressure.” His voice rumbled through her. “The Bible says that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”

So it did. She closed her eyes, swiped away more tears.

“The pressures don’t change the reality that God is with you, and you’re loved by Him.”

Oh, that was true too. “How do you know all this? Especially when you’re a new Christian?”

“I’m trying to read my Bible more. And listen to it when I travel or go for a run.”

Just like the kind of guy she once said she’d wanted her to “husband” her.

Her heart flickered. Oh, he was a good man. She didn’t deserve him.

She drew back, turned away. “I must look like such a mess. I’m pretty sure I fell asleep in the carpet and now have drool on my face.”

“I wasn’t going to mention the little hairball here.” He pointed to the side of his mouth.

“What?” She glanced at the foyer’s mirror. Saw he’d been teasing. Then realized her makeup really had given her raccoon eyes. “I look terrible. I really need to have a shower.”

“Go for it. I wasn’t gonna say anything.”

She chuckled, then realized what he was doing: trying to distract her, to cheer her up, to get her focus off something awful. The fact that he’d done all of this for her made him so special. “I won’t be long.”

“It’s okay. Louie and I can get to know each other better.”

“If you want to eat, you can grab some plates and things from the kitchen. Make yourself at home.”

“Okay.” He smiled at her, with tenderness it seemed.

Her heart squeezed a little more. “Thank you for coming,” she whispered.

“I had to. I figured you could do with a friend.”

Afriend.That’s who Zac was. That’s all who Zac was. Because apart from that hug before, there was nothing he did that was very different to what she might do with Cassie or even Mack. She kept reminding herself of that as she scrubbed her makeup off then had a super quick shower, did her hair and makeup and returned to find him setting up the food on the dining table, talking to a meowing Louie as he did.

“I’m sure your mommy will be out soon and can tell us where your food is.”

“In the basket above the fridge.” She stifled a smile as Zac turned around.

Then swallowed a lump as his expression softened. “You look a little more relaxed now.”

She picked at the hem of her favorite comfy top, the green sweater with sheep on it she’d picked up in England after shooting a movie in the Cotswolds. “Today has been so stressful.”

“Want to tell me about it?”

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