Page 5 of Faking the Shot
Judging from the flash in Diana’s eyes, that comment hadn’t landed the way Chris probably intended. Chris wasn’t exactly the first pick of calendars, his jovial, at times forthright personality more his trademark than his looks. But while Zac had never been married, he guessed no wife wanted her husband joking that she was beautiful because he was blind.
“You look amazing,” Zac told Diana sincerely. It was good to see her relaxed, after getting the chance to escape the pressures of her household for a time.
Her expression softened. “Thanks. I’ll never look like Ainsley though.”
“You don’t need to, hon,” Chris assured. “You’re perfect just the way you are.”
Her lips tweaked wryly. “A lot more perfect than my usual attire, anyway.”
Which, from his many visits to the Thomas household in recent months, usually consisted of jeans and a plaid shirt and Uggs. There was a reason he’d felt instantly comfortable there. “I think the best thing to wear is a genuine smile,” Zac told her. “And to be honest, it’s hard to know just how many smiles here are real.” Including some of the ones he’d seen Ainsley give.
“Yeah,” Logan Johansen finally joined the conversation. “Looking around, it’s hard to know just how much we see is real and how much is plastic, if you know what I mean.” He winked.
“Don’t be crass, man,” Chris shoved him none-too-gently before guiding Diana away.
“I bet you can tell us if Ainsley Beckett is all real, huh, Parotti?” Logan smirked at Zac.
“Excuse me?”
“You looked like you were copping a feel, eh, buddy?”
Zac’s cheeks heated. He sure hoped it hadn’t looked like that, especially with all the photographers around here. “I didn’t, and I wouldn’t, because I would never disrespect a woman like that. And if I ever hear you say anything like that again, I’ll be reporting you to team management.” And they’d be much more inclined to believe the team’s MVP than the man that many in the NHL questioned why he deserved a Stanley Cup ring.
“Whoa!” Beer fumes wafted from Logan. “Someone needs to calm down.”
“Someone else”—Zac pointed at Logan—“needs to learn to treat women with respect. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it?”
“Speak for yourself,” Logan muttered, slinking inside the function room.
“Pretty sure he’s only here for the food, and to see if anyone’s dumb enough to go home with him,” Drew Stanley, the poor dude who’d often been Logan’s roommate on trips, said. “He’s just sore because it was you who caught Ainsley and he’s always been a huge fan of hers.”
“Really?”
Drew chuckled. “Yeah. I’ve caught him watching a Hallmark movie or two over the years. Not that he’d appreciate me telling you.”
Zac fist-bumped him as they went inside. “Thanks.”
“Any time.” Drew winked and moved to the table where Chris and Diana were already seated.
Which meant Zac should join them too. But first…
He glanced around the room, filled with celebrities and politicians schmoozing and boozing, although he never drank. Since their recent win there’d been a few parties like this, and while he could put on a front that pleased the bosses, he preferred watching video tape of games to this fake scene. All the hugs and air kisses, the heavy makeup that hid who people really were. Although from that moment with Ainsley, she hadn’t seemed overly made-up, with her features so close to perfection that he wondered what she’d look like without makeup on. Not that he should still be thinking about her, or looking for her in this crowded room, especially as she had a boyfriend. She likely wouldn’t even remember him, anyway. He was just a minion, while she was somewhere in the angelic tier.
That was why he appreciated Diana—she was real. She reminded him in some ways of his sister, or his mom, not that she’d probably like to be compared to a woman twice her age. But there was a maternal side to her, which probably came about as she was the mother of three kids. But even with the glow-up she’d had for tonight, Diana held an authenticity he valued. He’d met too many women in the past who were nothing like how they’d first appeared. And since becoming a Christian last month, he’d come to appreciate that he’d be better off keeping the whole relationship thing at a distance, at least until he’d figured out what a Christian relationship was supposed to look like.
“Excuse me.”
He turned, and his mouth dried. It was her. He swallowed, hoping for moisture as words failed to appear. This really shouldn’t be so hard.Come on, man, think. “Um, hi.”
Ainsley smiled, and his heart squeezed again. “I just wanted to thank you again for saving me from tumbling onto the gossip pages.”
“Uh…”Use real words. “Any time.”
“I’m Ainsley, by the way.”
“Zac.” He held out his hand.
She grasped it, seemingly oblivious to the sharp shock that accelerated up his arm. So this was what touching an angel felt like.