Page 103 of Last Call

“I know.”

“But you also have a close relationship with Fallon—one that has a longer history,” Riley explained. “I know you don’t love or trust Fallon more than Billie. She’s been close to you for your entire life. She has memories of you—memories of time spent with you and Andi that Billie doesn’t.”

“Kind of like Fallon with Owen,” Dave mused.

“Kind of.”

“Yeah, Fallon told me she wishes she could have seen him being born. I get it. I think I do. Fallon is—well, the truth is she was the closest thing I had to another parent until Billie came along. I love my dad. He just wasn’t around much. Fallon was there. It felt like…”

“I know,” Riley said. “Like family.”

“It’s so weird. Fallon was at our house for dinner at least three or four nights a week. She was always at our school events with Mom. I know this will sound—well, mean, but sometimes I hated it when my father came home because it meant Fallonwasn’t there. He never went to my games. Maybe one or two. That’s it. I remember how he would get up to take calls during dinner. Mom would smile, but I could tell she was gritting her teeth. Fallon never did that. There was this one time when her phone kept buzzing. Mom told her to take the call. Fallon shut off her phone and tossed it on the counter. She said she’d call after we finished eating. It was just—normal.”

Riley smiled.

“Can I tell you something without it getting weird?” Dave asked.

“You like that word.”

“Can I?”

“Go on.”

“I’ve thought about it a lot lately—why I was so pissed at Mom when she and Dad told us they were divorcing. It’s like she waited for us to be gone to be with Fallon. Then she leaves my dadandFallon? What the hell? Sorry. I probably shouldn’t have said that.”

“Dave, I’m not threatened by or jealous of the relationship Fallon had with Andi.”

“Really?”

“Really. It took a long time for Fallon to admit to me what your mom meant to her, longer than it took for your mom to share her feelings. I know how much they loved each other. They still do—just differently. But they love each other as much as they ever did,” Riley said. “You know, Fallon was pretty hurt when she found out your mother asked for a divorce.”

“I know. I don’t get it. She was already with you.”

“Fallon’s love for me doesn’t erase years of loving Andi. And you know how much you and Jacob mean to her. Billie knows that, too. You should talk to Billie about all of this.”

“Uh, I don’t think so, Riley.”

Riley shrugged. “Don’t underestimate Billie.”

“I don’t.”

“Then why can’t you talk to her? Just tell her you’re concerned that her feelings might be hurt. I think you’ll be surprised at the response.”

“Billie thinks my idea to have her help with the new company is to make her feel better.”

“Probably true. Tell her why you want her to help—the truth, Dave.”

“I really didn’t upset you?”

“One reason I love Fallon so much is how much she genuinely cares for the people in her life. No. You didn’t upset me. Not at all. In fact, you reminded me how lucky I am to have her as my partner.”

“You know,” Dave began. “If you guys have a kid soon, our kids would grow up together like Fallon and Billie.”

Riley’s lips curled into a smile. She winked at Dave.Yes. They would.

Andi greeted Fallon with a smile and a shake of her head when she entered the kitchen. “He had no right to attack you like that,” Andi said.

“It’s okay.”

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