Page 25 of Faking the Shot

Just like some of the other things she could say that tiptoed through this minefield of truth and lies.

“Getting to know each other.” True.

“We’re taking things slow.”Also true.

“Enjoying each other’s company.” True. Well, she hoped it was. She enjoyed his company, and he’d seemed to enjoy hers. And the fact they’d laughed together had to mean something, didn’t it?

“These pics are gold!” Rosie said.

Ainsley studied the one most circulated. Zac, holding her hand, Ainsley smiling at him, a connection so believable it would translate well to the screen. Had he ever acted?

“My phone’s been running hot this morning, I’ve had so many people ask me about the rumors about you two.” Rosie exhaled. “What do you want me to say?”

Hmm. Another question she should’ve thought through and discussed with Zac. “You could say ‘We’re quietly hanging out’.”

“Or that the rumors are true.”

“Or that you can confirm therumorsare true,” Ainsley said. Because there were plenty of rumors—that was one hundred percent true.

“Ooh, I like! That way we build up more speculation, huh? If we’re onlysuggestingrumors are happening then there’s still room for more talk.”

That wasn’t exactly what she meant. “Look, I’m not sure—”

“Ainsley, I couldn’t have picked a better person than him for you. Well done. Zac Parotti is one of the biggest names in sports, and you will probably find this will have an awesome crossover, with your fans becoming his, and his fans becoming yours. Great work, girl.”

“I don’t know how many hockey fans are going to start watchingAs The Heart Draws.”

“Never underestimate the power of a good story. Don’t you remember how many people started watchingSuitsafter Meghan Markle married Prince Harry? Exactly.”

“Zac is not Prince Harry.”

“I’ve heard him described as the next Wayne Gretzky, and in this country, that’s better.”

Dad would certainly agree. Oh dear. That’s right. Dad. Mom. Mack. She’d need to tell all of them therealtruth before things got even more out of hand.

Which meant messaging—or calling—Zac again and explaining to him what she should’ve said before. Ugh. There was so much more to fake-dating than she’d first thought.

She ended the call with Rosie, and started to type her message to Zac, then realized leaving a voice message would be far quicker. So she dialed his number, anticipating what his voice message greeting might say, so she’d not sound dumb and flounder around getting to the point, and—

“Hello?”

He was actually answering his phone? “Um, Zac?”

“Um, Ainsley?”

She heard the tease in his tone and relaxed. “I wasn’t expecting you to answer your phone, so I was figuring out my message, and then you answered.”

“I’m about to start training.”

“I won’t keep you.” She dropped her voice. “Has anyone, um, asked about us?”

“Yes.”

“Well? Don’t leave a girl in suspense. What have they said?”

“That I’m a lucky guy.”

Her heart softened. “Really?”

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