Page 81 of Faking the Shot

“Amen.” Sue nodded. “That’s more like it. Now dig in, people. Don’t let it get cold.”

The meal was a collection of traditional roasted meats and vegetables and Italian favorites, coated in layers of oil. Ainsley was careful to mostly choose salads.

Zac nudged her. “You are allowed to eat more than the baby.” He motioned to where his sister’s youngest child, a toddler, sat with his mashed food in his divided plate.

“I’ve got all I need. Whereas you, Mr. Healthy, seem to be having a little too much fun.”

“It’s the one day during the season I break my diet.”

“Lucky you.”

He leaned closer. “You could probably go crazy and do that too.”

“Mmm, but then my New Year’s Eve dress might not fit so well.”

“New Year’s Eve, huh?”

She smiled.

“Ainsley, what are the chances you could get me onto the setof As The Heart Draws?” Sue asked.

Oh. Not so good if—when—she broke up with Sue’s son. “Um, I can talk to the movie set manager. She might be able to help you out.”

Cassie had messaged to see if Ainsley was free to catch up when Franklin played in Vancouver next month.

“That’d be great! It looks so cute. I can’t wait to see you in action.”

“Oh! Um, we don’t have visitors when we’re shooting,” she explained.

“I’m sure they’ll make an exception for your boyfriend’s mother.”

“Ma, don’t hassle her,” Zac said.

“I’ll speak to Cassie, but we’re not scheduled to return to the ranch until June at the earliest. And it is just outside Calgary,” she explained.

“You say that like it’s near the moon! We can make a trip out there, can’t we Tony?”

“Whatever you want, Sue.”

Ainsley ate enough that she hoped satisfied the Parotti expectations, and noticed the time. But then it was apparently dessert time, as Sue and Zac’s sister and grandmother cleared plates. Ainsley went to join them but was told to sit down. Zac used the moment to get a picture of them in front of the tree.

“So, who wants some panettone?” Sue called, as the women returned with large platters of carb- and sugar-heavy desserts.

Zac might be skilled at swerving and dodging on the ice, but it was fun watching him avoid his mom’s attempts to stuff him with treats he clearly didn’t want to eat. Not so fun when she forced Ainsley to do the same, but still, she managed to get a few morsels in, while using the excuse she still had to eat at her parents’ after this.

“But we can’t send you there starving,” Sue complained.

Ainsley patted her stomach. “I’m already full.”

“But you ate like a sparrow! That’s no good. You’ll faint, and I don’t want nobody fainting after eating my food. People will think I poisoned you or something.”

Clearly Ainsley wasn’t the only person in this room with a flair for the dramatic. “Thank you for your hospitality, but I probably will need to go soon.”

“But you only just got here,” Sue complained.

“I’m really sorry, but I need to see my family too.”

“I told you this already, Ma,” Zac said. “Don’t make her feel guilty, otherwise she’ll never want to come back.”

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