Page 124 of Faking the Shot

“Ains, there’s something you should know.”

She internally braced.

“I always wanted this to be real.”

What?

And what did he mean “wanted”? Was that past tense? So he didn’t want that now? Her heart clenched. He didn’t want that now. She caught his last words. “But you said—” Nothing was making sense anymore. “Always?”

“Always.”

She swallowed. “Even when you agreed that we would keep this platonic? Are you saying even then you were wanting us to be real?”

“I did.” He reached across the table, but she moved her hand away.

She couldn’t let him touch her. Everything she thought she’d known felt like life was tilting once again. “So you lied to me.”

“No, I—”

“You just admitted that youliedto me.” She pushed back in her seat.

He shook his head. “I can’t believe that that’s what you’re hearing right now.”

“That’s what I’m hearing? Are you trying to gaslight me?”

“Ainsley, no. Don’t do this.”

“Don’t do—? You sound just like all the others. Blaming me when you’re the one who’s done something wrong.”

“Me? You’re the one who came up with this ridiculous idea pretending we were a couple. What did you think was gonna happen?”

“You agreed. Youpromisednot to fall in love.”

“Who says I’m in love?”

He wasn’t? “Tonight’s meal, this romantic date—”

“Was a sham, Ainsley. Because that’s what you do. You play pretend. You didn’t realize that there were real feelings involved and people could get really hurt.”

“I don’t want to listen to this.”

“You need to.” He gripped her hands suddenly. “Look, I know you told me a thousand times this was fake and wasn’t real, and I know I agreed. But to be completely honest, it was really hard because I already had feelings for you. I think you’re pretty awesome. But I also tried to keep that contained, and be the friend you wanted me to be. Then I became your friend, and learned all these other awesome things about you. But—”

Oh, that word was never a good one to pause on.

“But lately I’ve noticed how stressed you’ve been, and I don’t want to be adding to your pressure. Ainsley, I’m worried about you. Others are worried about you. You need to find out what God is wanting you to do without all this extra noise and chaos and clutter, and I know me being part of your life has just added noise.”

No, no, his presence was reassuring, not noise.

“So I feel it’s best for me to step back, and—”

“Are you breaking up with me?” she asked quickly.

He paused.He was, he was!

“Well, good. That’s fine,” she rushed in. She had to get in first. She lifted her chin. “I understand.” Never had she acted so much as in this single moment. “Thank you for your willingness to put up with my stupid scheme. I’m sorry if I have hurt you.”

“Ainsley, just to be clear, I’m not wanting to break up with you.”

---