Page 103 of Imperfectly Perfect

“Thank you,” Savannah whispered, her breath rushing out of her. She hated that she felt so much better with Fallon right here with her, but she did.

“I thought you might need me here before you told me.”

Savannah hummed an answer. She hadn’t thought Fallon had picked up on that, but she should know better than that by now. Fallon had always been astute when it came to Forrest and his wake of drama and hyperbole. Fallon would want to be there to protect Savannah as much as possible.

“You always do think of everything, don’t you?” Savannah leaned into Fallon’s side, grateful for her ability to do that, especially tonight.

It was the first time that she and Forrest would be stuck in a room together since she’d filed against him, and she knew it was going to be a doozy. When it came to anger, he played the long game as well as the short one.

They found a seat together in the far back corner. That way Savannah could see Forrest when he came in and make sure that she stayed as far away from him as possible. If he would stay on the opposite side of the theater, then maybe they could survive this night unscathed.

The program started fine, and it moved quickly. Savannah kept her hand clasped in Fallon’s except when Brinley ended up on the stage and she snapped a bunch of pictures. For only starting dance a few months ago, Brinley had improved dramatically. But she was still behind the other kids in her class for sure. She probably needed more practice time, but Savannah didn’t have the heart to force her to practice with everything going on.

Clapping loudly, Savannah beamed at Fallon as Brinley bowed and walked off the stage. Fallon seemed just as happy about being there tonight. The rest of the recital was about the same as the first half, some dances amazing and others—well, it was a recital full of kids. So they did what they were supposed to do and some put in their full heart and others didn’t.

“Come on, let’s meet her outside.” Fallon snagged Savannah’s wrist and pulled her toward the exit.

It was probably a good thing to head that way. More parents would mean more of a buffer with the nasty things Forrest could say to her. Rolling her neck, Savannah stayed right by Fallon’s side as she waited for Brinley to make her appearance.

“There’s no reason you should be here for this.” Forrest’s voice was deep, quieter than normal, but he wasn’t talking to Savannah. He was looking directly at Fallon.

Savannah squeezed her hand tightly. “She’s here because Brin asked her to be here.”

“Doesn’t mean she had to show up.” Forrest sneered at them. “She’s my daughter. I have a say who will be in her life.”

“Actually, you don’t,” Savannah snapped back at him. She glanced around the lobby area—no one else was looking at them, so they hadn’t quite made a scene yet. She wasn’t going to add what she was really thinking to her comment because that would absolutely land them both in a screaming match. So Savannah chose not to respond instead.

“This is putting such a hardship on Brinley. You have to know the pain you’re causing her to go through, all because you’re such a selfish bitch.” Forrest’s face was back in an ugly sneer.

Savannah’s hands went clammy. Cold rushed through her body. He would never stop, would he? He’d always find some way to pull her back into the drama. Well, she knew better than to engage by now, and she wasn’t going to allow him to take control of this conversation.

“The only thing making this custody case hard is bringing it up in front of her and sticking her in the middle where she doesn’t belong.” Fallon shot Forrest a dark glare. “I suggest you avoid talking to Brinley about adult things. Let her be a kid a little longer.”

Pride bloomed in Savannah’s chest. Fallon was always there to protect both of them, no matter what. Forrest’s lips parted, the retort on the tip of his tongue, but he didn’t get very far. Tiastepped into their tight circle, snapping the tension like a rubber band.

“Hey! I’m so glad you were able to make it!” Tia looked at Savannah first, then Fallon curiously, then she landed her gaze on Forrest. “Brinley said she was surprised to see you out there. She was so happy that you were able to come after all.”

Had Forrest tried to bail out on the recital?

Savannah wouldn’t put it past him.

Or maybe he’d told Brinley that Savannah had told him he couldn’t come, and that she was the reason he wasn’t allowed to be there. That sounded more like the Forrest she knew, and she wouldn’t put it past him to try and get one over on Tia.

“There was a conflict of whether or not I’m allowed in the same room as Savannah. So I wasn’t sure if an exception would be made to allow me to be the father I know my daughter needs.” Forrest puffed his chest out.

So he was taking it that direction.

Tia shot Fallon a shocked glance before slowly focusing back on Forrest. “Well, I’m glad that was able to be resolved at least for tonight. Brinley’s one of my best students. She picks up the moves quickly, and she’s so sweet with everyone.”

Savannah beamed. She loved when people praised her daughter like that. She wished they’d do it in front of her more often so that she’d understand she was as good as people saw her, but Savannah would have no problem repeating what Tia had said as soon as Brinley was changed and out in the lobby with them.

“She really is such a good kid,” Savannah said, wanting to focus every morsel of energy she had on her daughter and ignore the fight with Forrest. Because he wasn’t supposed to be within five hundred feet of her, and she definitely wasn’t supposed to be talking to him alone. So it was a good thing Fallon and Tia were here to witness this.

“She’s wonderful. Everyone loves her,” Tia added. “You’ll have to excuse me. I need to talk with another parent.”

Tia moved off to the side, but not before she brushed a hand down Fallon’s arm quickly. No one else probably would have noticed it. Savannah gripped Fallon’s free hand tightly, keeping herself centered through that touch.

“Mom! Dad!” Brinley bounded toward them, her face lit up with excitement and joy.

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