Page 68 of Faking the Shot

“God?” Zac suggested.

She smiled. “Maybe? Drew seems nice anyway. Even if what he did was a completely wrong thing to do, I’m glad he did it.”

“Me too.”

“So, Zac thought you weren’t gonna be able to make a game for a while,” Chris said.

“My schedule got changed. Now that the big storm front has passed it means we go away tomorrow.”

Disappointment crowded his chest. “Tomorrow?” He’d hoped to have more time with her.

She nodded. “But I’ll be back in a week or so.”

“Then we’ll go on another date?” He didn’t care if it made him sound needy. Hewasneedy. He needed her.

“Sure.”

“We have a Christmas party coming up soon,” Chris said. “You’ll have to get him to bring you to that.”

“Already sorted,” Zac said, slinging an arm around her again. Man, he liked having her here. They fit together perfectly.

Chris nodded, glanced at Diana who’d joined them now. “And maybe we’ll have to have you join us at ours for a meal one day soon.”

“I’d like that,” Ainsley said.

“I would, too,” Diana said. Then she eyed him. “Because I think the both of you have to work out what happens next.”

He nodded. Like how real they could make this.

CHAPTER14

“Aunty Win!”

“Darling girl.” Her aunt opened her arms and embraced Ainsley.

Ainsley rested there for a moment. Her aunt was getting older, more frail. She could feel her bones. Cancer was so cruel. “I’ve missed you.”

“Missed you too.” Her aunt pulled back, drew a finger down Ainsley’s cheek. “How are you?”

“Good. Better for seeing you.”

“Hmm. What’s this I hear about a mystery man? Have you finally found yourself a nice young man?”

“He’s nice, but we’re just friends.” Even if his kiss last night still seemed seared onto her cheek.

“That’s not what I’ve been hearing. And that’s not what that blush is saying.”

Ainsley blew out a breath. “I don’t know what you’ve been hearing, but it’s gotten a little complicated.”

“Well, I hope you can tell me all about it tonight over dinner.”

Ainsley nodded. “I’d love that.” She checked her shoulder. Yep, the rest of the crew were now off the ferry, and Gwen and Jason were looking at her. “I’d better go.” She kissed her aunt’s weathered cheek. “See you tonight.”

“Looking forward to it,” her aunt called.

Ainsley hurried to join the others, then, seeing her aunt was still watching, blew her a kiss.

There were some advantages to being the established name associated with the Christmas mysteries project. One of those was having the chance to catch a seaplane to the island, rather than board the public ferry like the others. Another was the chance to stay with her aunt, instead of with the rest of the crew at the hired accommodation. Of course, it helped that her aunt’s cottage was literally a five-minute walk away from where they were filming and where the others were staying. But the fact she had time and space to spend with her aunt away from the movie helped her feel like maybe she could find some firm footing again.

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