Page 38 of Imperfectly Perfect

“Did we have an appointment?” Athena looked directly at Fallon, as if she’d screwed something up entirely.

“No, no we didn’t. I was just…” Savannah trailed off, finally turning and looking at Fallon for the first time. She must have seen something in Fallon’s eyes because she stopped. “I was just dropping something off. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“I was just leaving,” Monti said, stepping between Fallon and Savannah. “I met Athena through Fallon, you know.”

“Oh?” Savannah sent a nervous glance to Fallon.

“She called me one day to see if I could help her boss with a special project, and well, I stuck around.” Monti smiled brightly at Athena. “I’m so glad that she did. Because I never would have met Athena otherwise. You know those moments that seem like kismet?”

“That’s how I met Fallon, actually.” Savannah’s voice was quieter, and she sent a look as if asking for permission.

Fallon knew she was going to have to step into this, she was going to have to make sure that she led the conversation so that everyone stayed as happy as possible. “Savannah found me at the cemetery when I was visiting Mom.”

“Oh.” Monti’s eyes widened.

“It’s a long story,” Savannah said, not elaborating.

“A long and interesting one,” Athena chimed in, crossing her arms as she stayed a distance away from the other three. She always seemed to be one step on the outside, and Fallon was okay with that, for now. But if Athena and Monti were going to continue to be together, they were probably going to have to work on that relationship together, making it more personal and less professional.

“I’d love to hear it.” Monti looked around at each of them, as if expecting to be filled in on what she was missing.

“Maybe at dinner tonight,” Fallon clenched her jaw. “We were just heading that way.”

Savannah stepped away from them, backing toward the door. “I better get going anyway. I need to pick Brin up.”

She didn’t say anything else as she left the room. Unfortunately, the tension didn’t leave with her. Fallon’s shoulders were so tight that she knew she was going to spend thirty minutes trying to work the knots out in the shower that night before bed.

“So that’s—”

“Dinner, right?” Fallon interrupted Monti. She faced Athena. “Is it all right if I leave?”

“Yes.” Athena’s hands were at her sides, but her head was cocked to the side as she stared at Fallon curiously. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Monti.”

“Tomorrow for sure.” Monti stepped forward, pressed her lips lightly to Athena’s and then winked at Fallon. “This is going to be an interesting meal.”

“Shut it or I’ll make you walk,” Fallon mumbled.

Laughing, Monti waited while Fallon gathered her stuff and shut off her computer. They were in her car and on their way, the silence deafening and the tension still present. Instead of goingto a restaurant, Fallon drove back to her apartment. She was going to get good and drunk for this one, and she didn’t want to drive anywhere. Monti followed her up, but as soon as the door was shut, Fallon sighed and toed off her shoes.

“So…” Monti crossed her arms and pinned Fallon with a look that said far more than any younger sister should say. “That’s the woman who’s got you all mixed up.”

“Monti…” Fallon growled.

“Oh, you’re not getting out of this one.”

“Don’t tell Athena.”

“That’s not how relationships work. But I will respect you enough to let you fill me in, and I’ll walk as many lines as I can. But that means you have to spill the beans.” Monti followed Fallon into the kitchen.

Fallon stared at her cabinet of wines, really wishing she had something stronger, or rather something with a bit more of a kick. She sucked in a sharp breath and reached for the small bottle of vodka that she’d stashed away and hardly ever opened.

“Oh, we’re taking out the big guns tonight.”

“Shove it, Monti.”

Laughing, Monti took the vodka and started pouring each of them drinks, mixing it with some of the orange juice that Fallon still had in her fridge. Handing one glass to her sister, Monti eyed her carefully. “Savannah seems nice.”

“I can’t do this.”

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