Page 80 of Faking the Shot

“Well, clearly I am going to be the more popular one.”

He grinned. “Bribery, huh?”

“I prefer to call it Christmas presents.”

He laughed, and opened her door, but drew her close. “Happy Christmas, Ainsley.”

He hugged her, something she’d allow, because it was a special day. And how could she not allow it, when for the past few times they’d met it seemed hugs between them were now okay.

And hugging Zac was very okay. He was so big, so strong, that she felt weirdly protected, like his strength gave her strength. Which was dangerous, she had to remember. She didn’t want to depend on a man, only to have him let her down.

“We should go,” she reminded him.

“Yeah.” He pulled reluctantly away.

She got in, he closed the door, then drove her to Chris and Diana’s church.

“Have you been here many times before?”

Zac shot a look at her. “Once. The schedule hasn’t really allowed for it.”

“I know what you mean. It’s hard to get to church sometimes. But I always feel better when I’m there, like I’m encouraged by the faith of other believers.”

She retrieved her first round of parcels, the ones she’d spent far too much time shopping online for in the past two weeks, in between signing documents and sorting lawyer things for the biggest gift she’d share tonight—God bless Stirling. Buying gifts for Chris, Diana, Tanner, Jack and little Faith, plus one for Glenda was so much fun, their surprise and appreciation making the late hours worth it. Gift giving was one of her main love languages, after all.

After the service, once they’d fended off several inquiries and photo requests, Zac drove to his parents’ place.

“So, who should I expect to meet?”

He listed various family members, including his parents, older sister, two grandparents, and an uncle, then glanced across, held her hand. “Don’t worry. It’ll be loud, but it’ll be fun.”

She nodded, even as nerves ate the morsel of breakfast lining her stomach.

“There’s plenty of food. So brace yourself. We are Italian.”

“I’ve never really had Italian food for Christmas.”

He smiled. “Then you’re in for a treat.”

Meeting his family proved as much of a treat as the food on offer, even if his mother was alittleintense.

“Ainsley!” His mom kissed her on both cheeks and squeezed her. “I can’t believe my son has finally found a real woman at last, not just one of those bimbos.”

“Ma.”

Ainsley’s laughter was followed by the clang of conviction. Sue Parotti might be a fan ofAs The Heart Draws, but she’d be less of a fan of Ainsley’s if she knew the truth about this “real” woman’s not-so-real relationship with her son. Still, today was about giving further credence to their story, even if the longer it went on, the more she wondered if this was right. A photo of Christmas lunch with her at his family’s, a pic of him at her family’s for dinner tonight. Post them tonight and watch the internet melt.

His mom loved the bouquet from Ainsley, or said she did anyway, then insisted they all sit at the table.

His father said “Dig in” and Ainsley peeked at Zac. He half-shrugged at her. He’d explained his dad wasn’t a Christian, but wasn’t he going to say grace himself?

Sue seemed to notice as she glanced at Ainsley then coughed. “Come on Tony, you can do better than that. It’s the baby Jesus’s birthday.”

“Fine. Bless this food,” Tony muttered, then glanced at Sue. “Happy now?”

Sue shook her head. Then nodded to Ainsley. “Would you say grace for us, Ainsley?”

Oh! “Um, sure.” She lowered her head. “And thank You Lord, for Jesus and the hope we find at Christmas, and bless the hands that prepared this feast. Amen.”

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