Page 26 of Imperfectly Perfect

“Yes,” Fallon answered honestly. “She left her husband, but that doesn’t mean she’s left the abuse.”

“Is there a kid in the mix?”

Fallon nodded.

“Then she might not have been able to leave or have as clean of a break as she wanted to have. She might be stuck with him for the rest of her life, or until he loses interest or finds another target. There are so many reasons why she might still be in a relationship with him of some sort. You can’t judge the fact that she’s still connected with him. She might not want to be.”

Fallon nodded slowly, understanding what Monti wasn’t saying directly. She needed to stop judging. Period. But that was hard, especially when she was so up close and personal with what the outcome could be. She witnessed firsthand what devastation those kinds of people could bring.

“Is this why you asked me to dinner?” Monti finally caught Fallon’s attention again.

“Somewhat.” Fallon’s cheeks heated. “I mostly wanted to apologize.”

“What for?” Monti’s face scrunched in that way it always did when she was uncertain of something. She’d done it ever since she was a little kid. Fallon would recognize that look anywhere.

“For trying to be more of a parent than sister to you.”

“Oh, Fallon.” Monti sighed heavily, her face relaxing instantly. “You don’t have to apologize for that. We were both going through so much.”

“Still, I feel it’s owed.” Fallon rubbed her palms along her thighs, nerves already wreaking havoc on her body. She could still control them at this point, though. “I want more of a relationship with you, a sisterly one, than we’ve had before. If you’re up for that.”

“I am.” Monti nodded. “I’d like that too, honestly. Having more roots here than I’ve ever had before has shown me just what I’m missing out on. And it’s not something I’m willing to give up. Not anymore.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Warmth filled Fallon’s chest. She sucked in a sharp breath and closed her eyes. “We should probably tell Tia.”

Monti laughed heartedly. “Yeah, we probably should. But then she might not make us wear theget alongshirt anymore.”

“Oh my God. That shirt!” Fallon spiraled into a fit of giggles. They’d both hated that shirt with everything they had. It was a T-shirt about ten sizes too big, and when they were fighting or arguing, Tia would make them put it on together until they could resolve their problems. Sometimes they’d sit for hours in that shirt just not talking to each other. They were both stubborn fools, and Tia had her work cut out of her, that was for sure.

“It was so bad.” Monti wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes. “Do you think she still has it?”

“God, I hope not.”

As their food was brought to them, the talk morphed into memories and simply talking in ways they hadn’t done since they were little kids—if they even managed to do it then. It was almost like they were friends, as if they hadn’t spent years arguing and keeping each other at an arm’s length.

Just what would Tia think when they broke the news to her?

As Fallon left the restaurant, her heart full and light, she pulled out her phone. But then she stopped. Just what did she want to tell Savannah? Was she willing to have some kind ofphysical relationship with her? Or did she want to avoid that hurt altogether? Because there was no doubt in her mind that she was going to be thrown into the abuse that Savannah was still facing if she stayed in a relationship with her in any capacity—friends or more.

She waited until she got home, until she was curled up on her couch with the television on, and until she’d worked through exactly how she wanted to word the text message.

Fallon:I’m willing, if you are.

She set the phone down on the couch, keeping the screen up so she could see when Savannah wrote back. This wasn’t a relationship. Savannah had made that much clear. And sex would be much better if they were more familiar with each other. It would make their connection deeper. Friends with benefits was something Fallon could handle. So long as Savannah could.

Her phone rang an hour later. Fallon answered it as her heart thudded a steady rhythm, moving from high in her chest, into her throat, and then into the back of her mouth.

“Hello?”

“I’m willing,” Savannah said, out of breath. “I’m willing.”

Joy bubbled right alongside with arousal. Fallon sank into her couch, ignoring the screen flashing the news and focusing only on the conversation. “When do you have a free night?”

“Not tonight. I mean, I wish tonight, but Brin…”

“I get it, Savannah. You don’t have to apologize for being a parent and making Brinley your priority. I’ll never scold you for that, and I’ll never make you apologize for it.”

Savannah breathed a sigh of relief. Fallon could feel it all the way from across town.

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