Page 94 of Faking the Shot

“Yeah, I kind of felt like I did.”

Her eyes blurred. She blinked it back. “Thank you.”

“I’ll be praying for your aunt. She’s sick?”

“She’s had bone cancer for the past few years, and now it’s looking pretty grim.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She swallowed, suddenly unable to speak.

“Okay, well, I’ll let you go now,” he said gently, “and if there’s any news, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Thank you,” she murmured.

She ended the call, then exhaled, her breath fogging the pane of glass. Louie wove between her legs, and she picked him up. She should be at Zac’s game, but her long shooting schedule meant she was too tired, so she’d apologized and said she couldn’t tonight.

Distance from him meant more time to get her heart right. Meant more time to try to sort out some of the mess in her mind. More time to hopefully find a path forward, that would see God lead her, instead of being buffeted by other people’s desires.

“Lord, direct my steps,” she murmured.

She peered outside, wiped the pane clear. Zac’s apartment—now she knew where to look—had a light on. She hadn’t visited his place yet, knew it wasn’t wise. Especially for two Christians who kissed as passionately as they did. They needed to be with people, with chaperones, which sounded just as old-fashioned as Ainsley’s cringeworthy comment about wanting a man to “husband” her, all those weeks ago. Ugh. She couldn’t believe herself sometimes. “You’re so lame.”

Her phone rang. Rosie. She wrinkled her nose, tempted to leave it, then knew she’d spend all night wondering what her agent wanted, so answered. “Good evening.”

“Oh, good. You’re answering.”

She closed her eyes.

“Look, I’m just checking in. Mal Hendricks got in touch and said he wanted to start shooting a little earlier this year. Maybe April.”

“April, not June?”

“I know it’s two months earlier than normal. But I don’t know why,” Rosie said.

Maybe Cassie would know, and Ainsley could find out when she and Harrison were in town next week, to see Franklin play.

“Anyway, this Christmas mystery movie will be well and truly done by then, but thought you should know.”

“Thanks.” Oh, why was she saying yes to this? Did she really want to do another season ofAs The Heart Draws?

“Is that okay? You don’t sound like yourself tonight.”

“Sorry, I’ve got a few other things on my mind right now.”

“Would one of those things be a Zac Parotti kind of thing? It’s wonderful to see that’s going so well.”

“I feel guilty, Rosie, like I’m stringing him along.”

“He’s a big boy. You told him the facts, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“And he agreed to them, didn’t he?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Then don’t let it bother you.”

---