Page 25 of Last Call

“Do you think he and Beth are going to get together?”

Andi finally smiled. “I think they’re alreadytogether.”

“Seriously?”

“I don’t know if they’re sleeping together,” Andi said. “Beth lights up when he’s around. Pete can hold his own in any conversation. He’s successful and hard-working. And while he may not bemytype…”

Billie grinned.

“Mm. Or yours,” Andi added. “He’s a good-looking man.”

“Pete?”

Andi rolled her eyes. “Yes. Pete. But I think Beth is drawn to him because he’s kind, Billie. Pete is one of the gentlest people I’ve ever known. And he’s generous—to a fault at times. You’re right. He isn’t like Dean.”

“You don’t like Dean much, do you?”

“I don’t like the way he hurt the people I love. I know Dean differently than you or Fallon. He’s always been confident—maybe a better word would be cocky. He was close to Pete once, too. He didn’t stick by Pete when everything blew up. He bailed. I know he loves Fallon, but Dean has always cared about his image. Pete isn’t that way.”

Billie smiled. “I need you to hear me. I’m sorry if anything I’ve said, whether it was to you or at Murphy’s, made you think for one second that I see you aslessin any way. Nothing could be farther from the truth.”

“I know,” Andi said. “Idoknow. We all have chips on our shoulders. Some are heavier than others. People thought of meas the dutiful wife for a long time—the dutiful, dopey wife who let her husband get away with cheating on her.”

“I think we all project whatwefeel onto others at times,” Billie said. “I always assumed people viewed me as an outsider because that’s howIfelt. Some of it came from knowing I was a lesbian and not having anyone besides Fallon to talk to about it. Mostly, it came from dealing with my family. I don’t know, Andi. No one knew what went on in my house—not really. It’s like what you just told me about Pete. You know how the rumor mill is around here. I guess I feared everyone knew everything about me. They didn’t know much at all. I think Fallon felt similarly, for different reasons. And I don’t know anyone who viewed you as dopey—dutiful, maybe. And I don’t think they saw you in a negative light. I understand why you might feel they did. People couldn’t understand why Jake would cheat on you,” Billie said.

“I was far from perfect in that marriage.”

“I’m sure that’s true. Jake told you himself that his infidelities weren’t because of any of yourimperfections.”

“That’s true. And I believe him. But we all have questions that linger. What if I’d been willing to travel with him more? What if I’d pressed him about his affairs? Why didn’t I?” Andi asked.

“Do you have regrets?”

“No. Not at all. I have questions. Everyone asks questions about the past—plays the “what if” game. It may seem pointless. Those questions are one way we examine ourselves to ensure we don’t make the same mistakes.”

Billie remained amazed by Andi’s wisdom. Andi wasn’t afraid to look in the mirror or hold herself accountable. She knew how to stand her ground and how to apologize. Something had triggered Andi’s earlier reaction. Billie suspected it was about more than how people in Whiskey Springs might perceive her. She took a deep breath and held it for a moment.

“Andi?”

“Yes?”

“I might be wrong; you think Riley wants Jacob to act as their donor, don’t you?”

Andi smiled.

“How do you feel about that—honestly?” Billie asked.

“It isn’t my decision.”

“No, but it affects you.”

“I suppose it does,” Andi admitted. “I’m okay with it, Billie.”

“But?”

“I’m a little worried about Fallon.”

“Can I ask why?”

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