Page 82 of Last Call

Billie’s gaze drifted to the window. She watched the trees swaying in the wind, like the thoughts in her head. Fallon’s ideawasbrilliant—Dave would thrive in a job that allowed him to guide people down trails, ski, and fish on the ice. He’d enjoy building something new with Fallon. It beat bartending. It beat hospital shifts. And Fallon? Fallon would thrive, too. She loved being outdoors and meeting people, and she thrived on a challenge—any challenge.

“Itisbrilliant,” Billie said softly. “It’ll cure Fallon’s boredom and ease Dave’s worries.”

Andi didn’t respond right away. She studied Billie’s face.

“He’s grateful, you know. For all your help,” Andi said. “He loves you.”

Billie gave a slight shrug. “I’m not sure how I’ve helped.”

Andi stepped closer. “You’re the one he talks to when he doesn’t know what he’s feeling.”

Billie’s smile faltered. “Fallon has this way of sweeping in. She always has. When things fall apart, she figures it out. She fixes it. School, business, people, kids. She justknowswhat to do,” Billie explained. “I hate that I’m jealous of her sometimes,” she admitted.

Andi let out a long, understanding sigh. Fallon could cast a long shadow. Andi thought everyone experienced that feeling at times in their lives. For her, it had been Jake’s career and all it entailed that made her feel small. She watched as the people in a room would turn the moment he entered. He always told Andi she was the reason people paid attention to him. Andi might be humble, but she knew people often cast their glances her way. But Jake could fill a room. People talked about his talent as asurgeon and how he’d translated it to bring technical advances to the field. She’d nod and smile, agree, and look at him adoringly, all the while feeling insignificant—window dressing, as it were.

Riley recounted the feeling of being a newcomer in Whiskey Springs. Conversation at the pub among lifelong friends cast a different kind of shadow, one that made you feel as if you were standing outside of it, watching it looming in the distance. No matter how hard you tried to step into it, you always felt apart—standing at its edge, never in the light, but never fully in the shade.

Billie sometimes forgot that Fallon had experienced it, too. She’d walked behind Dean her entire life. Listened to her teachers praise him and compare her to his successes. He’d gone before her in every facet of her life—school, college—Liv.

For Billie, it was Fallon. She envied Fallon’s ability to be herself—to live openly long before Billie mustered the courage to come out. Fallon was outgoing and driven. To most people looking in, it appeared Fallon could master anything. No matter how many goals Fallon achieved or relationships she cultivated, Fallon still felt Dean’s presence encroaching on her light.

“I understand,” Andi said.

“Fallon has had more time with them,” Billie added.

“Do you mean with the boys?”

Billie nodded.

Andi reached out and cupped her face with both hands. “Don’t take a step back for Fallon, Billie.”

“Is that what I’m doing?”

“Isn’t it? You think I don’t understand. I do. It isn’t Dave or Fallon asking you to walk a step behind. You know that’s true. Fallon is who she is. And I admit, she has this superhero mentality—she’ll rush in to save the day if she can. You seem toforget how many times her cape has gotten caught on something in the process.”

“True.”

“And that’s not what is happening. This is all about timing. She’s been mulling over starting a new business for months. I think it’s Dave who’s saving Fallon, Billie. Not the other way around.”

“How do you figure?”

“She’s comfortable,” Andi said. “She’s excellent at saving other people, saving a pub, saving animals—Christ, saving wayward travelers. For God’s sake, she married one!”

Billie chuckled.

“Fallon isn’t always as good at taking care ofherself.Youknow that as well as I do. Sometimes, she distracts herself from what she needs to deal with by taking care of everyone else. Things came together—her idea, the property she found. Dave expressing that he wants to work full-time sealed the deal for her. It gave her the courage to make the leap. I’ll lay odds Dave told her he needs to talk to you first.”

“He doesn’t need my permission.”

“No, but he wants your approval,” Andi said. “And as much as he loves Fallon, he wouldn’t look for hers. He might ask her opinion, maybe even look for her encouragement. Your opinion of him matters. To him.”

“Thanks. I probably shouldn’t need to hear that. It helps.”

Andi smiled. “Let’s go.”

“Go? Where are we going?”

“Upstairs.”

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