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“I do. But I keep my promises, Brin. So don’t worry about that.”

Savannah looked confused, as she should. Fallon was going to have to figure out a good meal for Savannah, one that she would enjoy and was complicated but easy to make. And she’d probably have to plan to come over early to help clean the house as well. And hopefully Brinley had a plan for keeping Savannah out of their hair.

“Good.” Brinley waved at Fallon.

“See you around, Savannah.” Fallon picked up her purse and prepared to leave.

Savannah didn’t move, staying as still as possible on the couch as she watched Fallon with rapt attention.

“Please call me if you need something—anything, Savannah. I mean that.”

“I’ll call you!” Brinley chimed.

Fallon hummed a laugh. “I think you’re going to be told to stay away from your mom’s phone for a while.”

“Agreed,” Savannah said, running her hand up and down Brinley’s back.

Fallon said nothing else as she started toward the front door. She didn’t want to know what Savannah was thinking or why everyone had been frightened when she showed up, yet seemed far calmer now.

She reached the door and turned sharply when Savannah’s hand was on her shoulder. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You didn’t,” Fallon bit out the words. But her racing heart and tense muscles told her Savannah had been right. “Fine, you did. I’m not used to unexpected touches. Even from Brinley.”

“I can tell her not to hug you, if you’d prefer.”

Fallon shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’ll probably be seeing a lot less of her now.”

“Probably,” Savannah chimed. “I wanted to say thank you for coming tonight. Even if you didn’t know what was going on.”

“Right, that.” Fallon held her ground, waiting for Savannah to explain more, but she didn’t. She stayed silent, holding firm to the fact that she wasn’t going to share anything beyond what she’d already shared. Fallon shook her head and reached for the doorknob again. “Well, if you ever decide to tell me, let me know.”

“It’s not that simple, Fallon, and you know it.”

“I don’t know it.” Fallon pursed her lips. “I’ve never seen you so scared, Savannah.”

Savannah nodded. “Yeah. I was.”

“And now?”

“Not so much.” Savannah reached for Fallon’s hand. “Thanks for that.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You were here.” Savannah gave her a weak smile. “And for tonight, that was enough.”

“I don’t like it.” Fallon squeezed Savannah’s hand tightly. “I really don’t.”

“Tough luck.” Savannah gave a half-hearted wink and a true smile this time.

Just her lips curving upward, the way they were supposed to, the way that lit her up from the inside out, was exactly what Fallon needed. “All right, then.”

Fallon stepped away. She had to leave now. They weren’t on the other side of this. In fact, they were no closer than they had been before. They were probably farther from it. Savannah didn’t trust her anymore, and that said more than Fallon could imagine with words.

“I’ll see you around, Savannah.”

“See you, Fallon.” Savannah smiled again, and that was the memory that Fallon would take away as she left. “Thank you.”

If only Fallon hadn’t ruined the one good thing she had going for her. If only she’d been able to overcome her fear faster. Then maybe she wouldn’t have lost Savannah in the process. But at least now she knew. There would be no going back to what they were. Not ever again.