Page 70 of Last Call

“No,” Fallon said.

“Something else is on your mind.”

“I don’t want to overstep or betray a confidence.”

“I’ll walk out on a limb and guess this involves David.”

“We had a long talk on the drive from Connecticut,” Fallon said.

“He trusts you.”

“Yeah, and I don’t want to blow that.”

“Fallon, you need to let go of your guilt about what happened when I left Jake. Dave’s reaction was never aboutyou. I know you felt it was, but Dave was worried about what Becky’s parents would say and how that might affect their relationship. I’m not condoning the way he treated me, or his father, for that matter. But that wasneveryour fault. I don’t expect you to tell me anything Dave shared with you. You can.”

Fallon took a deep breath. What Andi said was only partially true. Dave didn’t blame Fallon for his parents’ breakup, but his reaction was about her relationship with Andi, just not in the way Andi thought. Dave’s revelations about growing up with her as a constant presence in his mother’s life surprised Fallon. It left her musing on how funny it was that people often didn’t take the time to considertheir feelings until after something changed. She had loved Andi for much longer than she’d admitted to herself, much less to Andi. And Fallon loved the boys.

Most people in Fallon’s life assumed her heartbreak over Olivia’s departure had stopped her from seeking another committed relationship. Fallon accepted their perspective as reality. It was easier than facing the truth. She didn’t want to sacrifice her time with Andi and the boys.

“Fallon?”

“I came here thinking I needed to talk to you about Jacob’s offer and about something I’m considering—a new business.”

“But?”

“I don’t think I can talk about either of those things honestly until I tell you the truth.”

“The truth?” Andi asked.

“Do you have any beer?”

“Not the kind that will send you to outer space, I’m afraid.”

Fallon chuckled.

“What do you need to tell me that requires alcohol?” Andi wondered.

“Dave told me a lot of things on our drive. Some of what he said surprised me. It probably shouldn’t have. It did. You’ve been my best friend my entire adult life.”

Andi smiled.

“The truth is, Andi, until I met Riley, there wasn’t anyone I wanted to spend time with more than you. And you know I love Billie. I like being with Pete and Dale, and I love giving Carol a hard time.”

“You don’t say?” Andi teased.

“But when I left the pub, I always chose to spend my time with you, when we could. It’s been different since Riley moved here.”

Andi nodded.

“Not just for me. For you, too. You spend more time with Riley than me!”

“I don’t think that’s true.”

“Okay, you spend more time with Riley than you dowithme.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t love spending time with you,” Andi said.

“Yeah, I know that. And I know when I need you—or if you need me, well, I know you’re my best friend.”

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