Page 7 of Imperfectly Perfect

Fallon knew better. Athena expected better, and she had caused a scene today. Athena hadn’t seemed angry about it, not like she had on occasions before when Fallon hadn’t done well at her job. Perhaps it was because now she knew why Fallon had been so upset by this situation.

“Fallon?” Savannah asked.

Clearing her throat, Fallon realized belatedly that this was going to have to be a two-way conversation. She finished her drink, and when the waiter appeared with Savannah’s, Fallon ordered another one that she had wanted to try.

“Do you accept my apology?”

“I accept that you didn’t understand what you were doing,” Fallon answered, clicking her tongue on the roof of her mouth. Savannah’s face fell, and there was a small pang of guilt over it, but Fallon pushed it to the side. She didn’t want to feel that.

“I think most of us are pretty clueless, especially about death when it happens unexpectedly and at such a young age.” Savannah’s words sliced through her.

Fallon stilled. She locked her eyes on Savannah’s. “Your suit with Athena?”

Savannah nodded. “My brother died about six months ago. Pancreatic cancer.”

Raising an eyebrow, Fallon stayed right where she was. Culture would dictate that she give condolences, but she really didn’t want to. She hated them when she’d been grieving, and even afterward, when she’d have to tell people that her mother was dead. She took her fresh glass of wine and swallowed a sip.

The flavor bloomed on her tongue. She had to hand it to them, this wine bar might be her new favorite place.

“Does it ever get easier?” Savannah asked.

“Does what get easier?” Fallon responded, setting her glass on the table and shifting in the hard wooden chair.

“Feeling like they’re missing out on things they shouldn’t.”

That stabbed Fallon right in the heart. How many times had she had that very same thought? Monti hadn’t seemed to care, but she’d never formed a strong bond with their mother. If something exciting happened, Monti would call Tia. But Fallon always had that initial instinct to tell their mom.

Fallon nodded at Savannah’s wine. “Do you like it?”

Savannah shrugged slightly. “I’m not a huge fan of wine.”

“So that’s a no.”

“I didn’t say that. It’s one of the better ones that I’ve had.” Savannah hadn’t dropped her gaze. “I take it from your avoidance of the answer that it doesn’t get easier.”

“No, it doesn’t.” Fallon’s voice was rough. It hurt to say those words out loud. She dropped her gaze to the table, unable to maintain the look. “I was nine when my mother died, and I still wish she was here to see what I’ve accomplished.”

“My brother has—had—five kids.”

“Then I deeply understand their pain.” Fallon picked up her glass again, using it as a barrier between Savannah and these probing questions. She had to pull herself back together because she was talking too much and oversharing for sure.

“I’m sure you do.” Savannah rubbed her lips together, still not really touching her wine. It seemed as though she wanted to say something, but Fallon could only imagine what that was.

This was awkward at best. The only thing making it worthwhile so far was the fact that Fallon was experiencing MILF Wine for the first time.

“I really didn’t mean to offend you earlier.”

“When earlier?” Fallon probed, needing to know exactly what Savannah was talking about.

“At the cemetery. It was an honest mistake, and I overcorrected.” She gave a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I… I’m sorry, this really is odd.”

“It is.” But somewhere in the center of Fallon’s chest, she appreciated this for what it was. There was no doubt that Savannah was being authentic right now. No one would paint themselves in this bad light willingly.

“My daughter would call mesusright about now.” Savannah’s lips curled up as her gaze was downcast, her cheeks reddening from embarrassment.

Fallon frowned and stared into the wine in her glass. She couldn’t decide if she needed a translation of the wordsusor an explanation of the fact that this woman had a daughter. Then again, why should that be odd? She was clearly about the age to have a younger child, and she’d spoken of her brother’s kids. For some reason, Fallon hadn’t expected that.

“What issus?” Fallon finally asked, choosing the easier of the two.

---