Page 120 of Last Call

Andi giggled. "I'm afraid not."

"I'll let Riley know."

"Billie and I can swing by and pick Riley up."

"Are you sure?" Fallon asked. "Don't you want to get there?"

"I think we have time."

"But..."

"Tell Riley we'll be there in about fifteen minutes," Andi said.

"Okay. I'll tell her."

Riley looked at Fallon and tried not to laugh. "Let me guess. Becky's in labor."

"Andi said her water broke. She and Billie will pick you up."

"I'd better get ready," Riley said, reaching her feet. She looked back at Fallon. "Are you okay?"

"You're just so calm."

"I don't need to do anything except offer my support," Riley said.

"She was fine when she left," Fallon said.

"Fallon, Beckyisfine. She's due in less than two weeks. She was playing with Owen and helping him open presents all afternoon. It probably helped things along." Riley leaned down and kissed Fallon's cheek. "Relax, babe."

"You'll call me, right?"

Riley grinned. "Yes. Not every half hour."

Fallon groaned. "What am I supposed to do while you're gone?"

"You could start the dishes," Riley called back. "Just don't do my laundry!"

Fallon put the last bowl into the cabinet and stared at the closed door. She’d taken a long shower, picked up every scrap ofwrapping paper she could find, and washed every last dish from the party. What now?

It had only been a little over an hour since Riley left, and Fallon was already crawling out of her skin.

She tried to sit down. Got up again. Wandered into the living room. Sat on the arm of the couch, then stood up again.

Becky had asked Riley to stay with her during labor. It surprised Fallon. Becky was close to Andi. Fallon assumed Andi would be her obvious first choice. But Riley explained it probably made Dave nervous to have his mom in the room, and as much as Becky loved Andi, she might have felt strange with her boyfriend’s mom at her side. Riley was someone they trusted. Someone who’d been through it. Labor and delivery weren’t the most flattering experiences.

It made sense. Still, Fallon couldn’t help feeling a little unmoored. Owen was worn out, fast asleep in bed. The house was too quiet. She was about to start reloading the dishwasher, just for something to do, when her phone rang.

Billie. Fallon answered. “Hey.”

“Hi,” Billie said. “You okay?”

Fallon let out a short breath and leaned against the counter. “Define okay.”

Billie chuckled softly. “Yeah, that’s kind of what I figured.”

“You’re at the hospital?”

“Yep. Dave asked if Andi would come into the room. They’re at full capacity. Dave’s pacing and pretending not to be.”

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