Page 97 of Last Call

“Sounds like a party in here,” Jake said, making his way to the refrigerator.

“Or a La Leche meeting,” Fallon said.

“Is that like a coffee thing or something?” Dave asked.

Fallon rolled her eyes. “Or something.”

“It’s a breastfeeding organization,” Jake explained.

“I don’t want to know how you know that,” Dave said.

“I have two kids,” Jake replied. “Who were breastfed.”

Dave shuddered, reached into the fridge, and held up the beer in his hand. “I’m going to get this to Billie,” he said.

Jake watched Dave disappear into the backyard, then turned his attention to Fallon.

“What are you thinking?” he asked Fallon pointedly.

“You mean teasing him about breastfeeding?” Fallon asked.

Jake’s jaw tensed. “You think you know what’s best for everyone, don’t you?”

“Excuse me?”

“Offering David a job—enticing him with a place to live?”

Jake’s question caught Fallon off guard, even if it shouldn’t have. Andi told her that Jake had bristled when Dave announced he planned to take a couple of online classes in the spring and summer and work full-time in the fall and winter with Fallon. Fallon viewed it as win; a way Dave could finish school on his terms. They were both excited about the new business.

“I didn’tenticeDave into anything,” Fallon said.

“Andi wasn’t enough for you.”

Fallon blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“You. You and Andi. Now, you and the boys. Andi wasn’t enough?” Jake shot.

Fallon’s temper simmered. She wasn’t sure what Jake was driving at. She didn’t appreciate his tone. “That sounds more like you,” she bit.

“What?”

“I’m not the one who spent over twenty years cheating on Andi.”

Jake’s face reddened. “No. You just spent over a decade figuring out how to capitalize on my mistakes.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Fallon asked.

“I think we both know. You and Andi, playing house with the boys.”

“Andi is my best friend.”

Jake’s caustic chuckle sent a shiver down Fallon’s spine. This was a side of Jake Maguire she’d never encounteredbefore. Fallon had spent little time around Andi’s ex-husband. Pleasantries had defined their limited interactions, and the occasional story the boys told their father about Fallon taking them somewhere that prompted a conversation. From everything Andi shared, Jake had handled their separation gracefully, although Fallon knew he didn’t want a divorce. Who could blame him?

Fallon carried no regrets about the year she and Andi spent as lovers. She hadn’t been the one to end that relationship, and she was grateful that Andi had the strength and foresight to do it for both of them. Jake had never been faithful to Andi, nor had he been a daily presence in his son’s life. Until recently, Fallon assumed all of Jake’s affairs happened when he was traveling. Knowing he could disrespect Andi as painfully as taking other women into their bed, infuriated her. Andi remained faithful to Jake for over twenty years. Whatever modicum of guilt Fallon had felt for loving Andi, for making love to Andi in the bedroom she shared with Jake Maguire had vanished. Maybe two wrongs didn’t make a right. From where Fallon stood, Jake had given up any rights to question Andi’s choices before Fallon moved back to Whiskey Springs. And as for Dave? She wondered if Jake had ever taken the time to ask what Dave wanted.

Playing house? What did Jake mean by that? Andi had been Fallon’s closest friend for years. Fallon stepped in to help with homework, skiing, or to give Andi a break when Jake was away. That’s what friends did—they looked out for each other. Jake’s insinuations and accusatory tone offended her.

“Your best friend?” Jake challenged Fallon. “Come on, Foster. It’s just us here now, inmyformer kitchen, talking aboutmyfamily—the familyyouwanted. Don’t you have a wife and son of your own to worry about now?”

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