Page 153 of Faking the Shot

“You’re welcome, Zac. Thank you.”

“God bless you, Stirling. You’re a gem.”

“You’re a star.”

And right now, with Zac’s arms around her, she certainly felt like one.

She shifted to study him more closely, placing her hands on either side of his cheeks as she drank in his beloved face. “You did that for me?”

“I did that for you, and for your aunt, your mom, and all the women who need it.”

“You’re… Oh, Zac, you’re amazing. Thank you.”

She found his lips and showed him how she felt. And it didn’t take long before the heat reignited and the passion returned. She loved this man,lovedhim. He was so amazing, and wonderful, and encouraging, and—

“Ahem.”

They broke apart. Looked at the door. Saw a scowling Chris, bemused Diana, and a wide-eyed Tanner. “Uh…”

“While it’s good to see you two getting on, what have we said about special cuddles?”

EPILOGUE

It was funny how much a world could change in six months.

Here they were at another gala, this time supporting the new nonprofit Ainsley had spent the past few months refining. Here, with her friends, and some of his, as they gathered together to shine a spotlight on a very important cause. The Winifred Project was a catchall mission that funded various ministries and community projects that ranged from Glenda’s vision to reach women in the sex industry, to partnering with White Night on initiatives such as Violet House, where women could find refuge.

Who knew that Ainsley losing her job would result in so much viewer outrage and media speculation that the world seemed ready to take up any cause she aligned herself with?

Zac studied her as she spoke articulately to a reporter about the need for awareness of women’s issues, her strength and poise now in stark contrast to the sobbing of two months ago, when he’d stood beside her, literally supporting her, at her aunt’s grave.

How grateful he was that the approval had come through when it had. It had allowed enough time for a crazy expensive helicopter ride to take Winifred from the island to the official opening of Violet House. There was no press on that day, it was a private ceremony for the family to mark a location that needed to remain secret, but it felt as special as if it was broadcast onVancouver Tonight.

He glanced around as the interview continued. Mack and Emmett were here tonight, along with Chris and Diana, Glenda and her husband, and various executives from the White Night charity. And his friends, many of whom had offered donations for the silent auction that was raising funds tonight.

“And I just can’t believe how many people have come out tonight!” Ainsley grinned as she glanced around the venue, waving at a couple of fans.

“We love you, Ainsley!” they called.

“You’re obviously loved,” the reporter fromETsaid.

Ainsley tucked herself closer to Zac, and squeezed his hand. “It certainly feels that way.”

He tilted his head, and murmured so only she could hear, “It shouldfeel that way, because it’s true.”

She laughed, and the reporter looked bemused, but her attention was arrested by the arrival of the mayor who’d come at Zac’s request tonight. Which allowed Zac to pick up Ainsley’s hand and kiss the finger he planned to place a ring on as soon as the craziness gave them both a chance to breathe.

So much had happened. Winifred. The new charity. Playoffs. Western Conference finals. NHL awards. Ryan’s wedding.

Then there were Ainsley’s new work commitments. The fans demanded she be reinstated as Abigail, which had seen production onAs The Heart Drawsdelayed after Mal capitulated and offered her back the role for one more year, while they sorted out Abigail’s exit. Ainsley, in turn, had negotiated a reduced workload for the same salary, thanks to Rosie, who seemed to have realized her job was to work for Ainsley, not the other way around.

He was so blinking proud of Ainsley, standing up for herself, owning her decisions, yet being wise with her opportunities as well.

“Good. She’s the backbone of that show, and we don’t want her to be cutting off her nose to spite anyone’s face,” his mom had said, when he’d explained the situation to her.

His mom had apologized to Ainsley, and she’d been gracious as ever. The same was true of family too. One could hold offense and create distance, or forgive, and find peace. He knew which one he preferred.

He’d seen the same with Logan, and even Mitch Reilly, who had offered their versions of apologies as Zac had collected the trophy for the MVP of the regular season. And while forgiving them was a no-brainer, it had taken longer to work through forgiving the man who had stolen Ainsley’s innocence, and harassed her so much earlier this year. Baden might’ve been charged, dropped from the Ryan Reynolds film, and his career firmly flushed out to the sea, but it didn’t seem right the man’s images likely still lurked in dark pockets of the internet, beyond what the law could reach. Yet the fact Ainsley had told Zac, had cried with him then allowed him to pray for her about that part of her past, had knit them even closer. Sharing vulnerabilities did that. As did praying together, learning each other, kissing.

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