Page 52 of Faking the Shot

Zac was sorely tempted to ask if things were okay domestically, or if Chris’s announcement of domestic bliss was an exaggeration. Still, none of his business. And selfish as it may be, he wanted Chris to stay on track.

“Ainsley might like romance,” Chris glanced at him, “and just an observation here, but judging from the many different roles she’s been in, the woman seems toloveromance.”

Zac’s lips rolled in. He wasn’t going to share what Ainsley had told him about her roles. He would keep her secrets. Prove himself trustworthy.

“But she needs to learn that there’s a difference between romance and real love. Like, real love isn’t always pretty. Real love can be hard work. You know, the one you probably should be talking to about all of this is Diana. She loves better than pretty much anyone else I’ve ever met.”

She did. Over the past year he’d come to really appreciate her big heart for others, her uncomplaining spirit and patience. She cared for her family, and for strays like him. She even did volunteer work in the community. “Diana is a good woman.”

“She’s got to be to put up with me,” Chris said wryly.

“True, that.”

Chris shoved him. “And if you do talk to her, then I think you should also brace yourself for something else I can pretty much guarantee Diana will say.”

“What’s that?”

Chris faced him. “You need to be Ainsley’s best friend.”

He heaved out a breath. He’d been afraid of that.

CHAPTER11

The lights of downtown Vancouver glimmered through the rain. Ainsley stared out from the living area, wondering just which apartment building was Zac’s. Which probably wasn’t healthy. Probably wasn’t wise.

After their last two “dates” she’d come to a healthy appreciation of the man. Maybe a slightly unhealthy appreciation, even. In all her experience of men, she didn’t know too many who had gotten under her armor like that, their kindness tugging at her heart until she spilled as she had. But she needed to keep him at an emotional distance. She couldn’t let him get too close. Even if the thought that he cared enough to check in on her warmed her heart.

Ugh. She should never have broken down and shared real truths last night. Should never have given him ammunition like that. Now he knew things about her that nobody else did. And she wasn’t okay with that.

She also shouldn’t have watched his game tonight. Nor the press conference after. That moment, when he asked if he played so intensely for someone special? Her heart had wavered when he’d said no. And sure, the fact that they were still playing this game “are they, aren’t they?” meant she didn’t exactly want him to flat-out confirm nor deny, but something about the decisiveness of his “no” hurt her heart.

Which was ridiculous. And dumb to the power of ten. Especially when she’d been the one to lay out the ground rules of their fictitious relationship. But sometimes fiction had a way of walking awfully close to feeling real.

Her phone buzzed. Mack. She could leave it. It was already way too late.

Louie walked past, tail in the air. “Hey, sweet pea.” She held out her hand.

He nudged her hand, demanding that she pick him up. So she did, holding his body close, as she might a child.

Her eyes closed against the reflection, the sad image of her holding a cat in her arms when she’d much rather hold a child. Her own. One day. Then the ridiculousness of what she was doing with Zac hit her afresh. How was she going to find her real Mr. Right when her fake boyfriend was there? This subterfuge was not doing her eggs any good. The sooner she could prove herself relationship-steady the sooner she could end things with Zac and find the man she was supposed to be with. The father of her potential children. One day.

She snuggled Louie a little longer until he protested and leaped from her arms. Her phone buzzed again. She glanced at the screen. Mack.

“Fine.” She huffed, then tapped Answer. “What is it?”

“I thought you’d like to know straightaway.”

Her heart hitched. There was only one thing she could think of that could lead to him making such a statement this late at night. “Are you serious?”

“Yep. Came online just ten minutes ago.”

“Why didn’t I get a notification?”

“I don’t know, but now you do. So you’re gonna do it?”

“Of course.”

He exhaled. “Okay. I’ll let you do the deed.”

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