Page 149 of Faking the Shot

He nodded. “So your role as Abigail might be done, but God still has something good lined up for you.”

She glanced at him. “That’s a good reminder. Thanks, Zac.”

“What happened with your job?” he asked softly.

She slumped deeper into the seat. “It was crazy. I got called into this video conference with Rosie, my agent, and Mal, the director forAs The Heart Draws. Then I basically got into trouble for cutting my hair, but more importantly for daring to go visit my brother for his birthday. Apparently visiting your brother is not considered family-friendly.”

“People can be quick to judge.”

She sighed. “I know we all can be. I know I am. But it’s just disappointing that they couldn’t even be bothered to see my side of things. I tried to say I’d be happy to finish the year remaining on my contract, but Mal fired me on the spot.”

“Oh, Ains, I’m sorry.”

His heart wrenched as she blinked back more tears.

“But is it disappointing to be set free from that?”

She snuck another look at him. “I guess not, no. It’s given me time, not only with Aunty Win, but to get myself right with God again.”

He smiled, and she gave a little smile back. It felt like as much of a win as winning game seven in the playoffs. “I’m really glad.”

“What’s with you tonight?” she asked. “Why are you being so nice to me, especially when I don’t deserve it?”

“Because…” He swallowed the words he wanted to say. The time was not yet right. “I care about you. You should know that by now.”

“Zac.”

“Ains.”

Her mouth curved, dropped.

“You were right—”

“Whoa—first time ever a man has said that to me.”

“Won’t be the last if you hang around me.”

She chuckled. “So what was I right about?”

“You were right,” he said slowly, making sure she’d hear it, “when you said this fake relationship was something we both agreed to. It was. I knew that. I even talked to Chris and Diana about how to try and tamp down my feelings and just be your friend.”

“You were my friend,” she whispered.

“I still am your friend.”

Her gaze connected with his for a long time. In her eyes he saw hope, longing and fear. “Ainsley, I also meant what I said on Valentine’s Day. I want to be more than your friend.”

“You still do?”

“I know there is a lot to work through, and I know that you’ve still got a lot on your plate, but I feel like we can start fresh. If you wanted to.”

“What do you mean?” she whispered.

He held out his hand. “Hi. I’m Zac.”

She looked at his hand, then touched it with her palm. “I’m Ainsley.”

He smiled.