Page 95 of Imperfectly Perfect

With rags in hands, they went to work on their big surprise for Savannah. Brinley kept furtively sending glances in Fallon’s direction. Then she finally asked, “Are you my mom’s girlfriend?”

Fallon’s pulse beat hard in her right temple. “I’m here to help you make Mother’s Day special.”

Brinley narrowed her gaze. “But are you her girlfriend?”

She’d hoped that she had gotten out of answering that one, but Brinley was persistent if anything. “I’d like to be.”

“You haven’t asked her?”

Fallon laughed lightly. “No, I haven’t.”

“Why not? Doesn’t she like you?”

“She does.” Fallon sprayed the coffee table and scrubbed it quickly. “What do you think?”

“I think she likes you.” Brinley moved slowly as she put things away one at a time rather than taking several items at the same time. Fallon wasn’t going to comment though. How often was it that a kid cleaned without complaining? “I think she really, really likes you.”

“What makes you say that?”

Brinley eyed Fallon seriously, looking her over, judging her. There was something going on, like Fallon was being put under the spotlight and Brinley was judging if she was worthy of not. “Because she smiles whenever you’re around.”

“Oh.” Fallon hadn’t been expecting that. Though she didn’t find it entirely true. Savannah had definitely not smiled when she’d been around on far too many occasions. “What do you think about it all?”

“About what?”

“Me and your mom.” Fallon moved slower now, wanting to catch every nuance from Brinley, the changes in the conversation.

Brinley shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“It’s okay if you’re too nervous to say. I get it.” Fallon straightened her back, hating the ache that started in the small of her back. “Or if you’re too scared.”

“I’m scared of what my dad will say.”

“Ah.” Fallon could easily understand that one as well. “I’ll admit that I’m a little scared of what he might think and say, too.”

“You, scared?”

Fallon nodded firmly. “Oh yeah. I’m scared of lots of things. Snakes for sure.”

Brinley shivered. “Snakes!”

“Yup.” Fallon looked up to find Savannah staring at the two of them, a lot of concern and warmth at the same time. Fallon raised a questioning eyebrow in her direction. “Done with your phone call?”

“For now.” Savannah slid her phone into her pocket and held up her drink. “I came back for a refill.”

“Perfect timing then.” Fallon glanced at Brinley before she strode toward Savannah and took the glass from her, makingsure their fingers brushed purposely during the move. “Brin has questions only you can answer,” Fallon said quietly, making sure that Brinley wouldn’t be able to hear.

“That sounds exhausting.”

Laughing, Fallon made her way into the kitchen. Savannah followed close behind. She made Savannah’s drink first and then checked on the food in the oven. It should be done soon, which left them enough time to clean the dining room table, especially because it needed to cool down a bit.

“Is it ready?” Brinley came running into the kitchen, sliding in her socks on the floor.

“It just needs to cool.” Fallon pulled the food out and set it onto the stove top. “Let’s finish the table.”

They worked quickly and efficiently, all three of them. When they were seated, food in front of them, Brinley flicked her gaze from one to the other. Fallon wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. She was as curious about what Brinley was thinking as she was scared.

“Did we do all your homework right the other night?” Fallon asked, trying to break into a conversation that was in the safe territory.

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