Page 14 of Last Call (Open Tab #5)

“No? It is true. Whiskey Springs was the place I needed to be to find myself, Fallon. One thing I know is that you don’t discover who you are, what you need, or what you desire from life on your own.

Back in San Diego, everyone offered an opinion about me to me.

Here? It’s different. The people I love here listen to me.

They challenge me, not so I will follow the path that fits their vision of who I am, but to help me find my way.

That is different. You’re the biggest part of that. ”

“And Andi,” Fallon said.

“Yes. And Carol, Ida, Marge, Billie—everyone we love. But yes, Andi has helped me find my way. I’m closer to Jacob and Dave than I ever was to Mary.

I know you think that hurts me. Sometimes, it does.

I wish I could have developed a close relationship with Mary, one where I could confide in her and cry on her shoulder—a relationship where she could share her fears and dreams and trust me to understand.

That’s never who we’ve been. She told me what I needed and how I should behave.

I didn’t follow her advice, but I also never argued with her. ”

“Believe it or not, I can relate to that,” Fallon said.

“I’m sure you can. It might sound crazy.

I enjoy it when Jacob comes to me because something happened that made him worry about Andi, or he’s annoyed with Dave.

Maybe it’s because he actually cares what I have to say.

He may not always take my advice. He will argue.

” Riley laughed. “But he values my thoughts, and I value his feelings.”

Fallon leaned close and kissed Riley’s cheek.

“What was that for?” Riley asked.

“You need to write that book,” Fallon said.

“What?”

“You look at the world in ways that amaze me—you look at yourself. It’s one reason I fell in love with you,” Fallon said. “I’m okay with accepting Jacob’s offer.”

“Fallon.”

“I’d like to talk to Andi first,” Fallon said. “I need to.”

“I understand.”

“And I’d also like us to sit down with Jacob together.”

“I agree.”

Fallon took a deep breath. “I’m not pushing you. I know this year has been a whirlwind of ups and downs.”

“That’s just life,” Riley said. “It’s unpredictable—in the worst and the best ways.”

“It is. I am sorry about earlier.”

“It’s okay.”

“No. It isn’t.”

“Maybe not. I understand,” Riley said. “There are moments when you drive me crazy. I love you, Fallon. You don’t know how to do anything halfway.

You put your entire heart and soul into everything and everyone that matters to you.

You love hard .” Riley pulled Fallon close and kissed her. “It’s why I love you so much.”

“No rush,” Fallon said. “I’m not pressuring you.”

“I don’t feel pressured. Talk to Andi. And, Fallon?”

“Yeah?”

“I also think you should consider Andi’s suggestion about opening a ski school.”

Fallon groaned.

“Why are you so resistant to the idea?”

“It’s a lot of work,” Fallon said.

“Babe, you need a project.”

Riley pressed to fingers to Fallon’s lips when Fallon opened her mouth to protest.

“You’re bored, Fallon. Don’t tell me I’m wrong. I’m not. And don’t tell me that it’s the wrong time. There’s never a right time—not for adding children or for starting a new business. Life is unpredictable .”

“Maybe. I don’t want anything to distract me from our family, Riley.”

“Fallon, there will always be distractions. It’s healthy for our kids to see us with lives and interests beyond them . You know that. Think about your father and Ida. I saw your eyes light up at the idea when Andi mentioned it.”

“You think I should turn Murphy’s over to Carol?”

“We both know Carol runs the pub,” Riley said. “No offense. She’s made a lot of improvements over the winter.”

“And when she gets pregnant?”

“You have options. And I don’t see Carol quitting. Pulling back, maybe.”

“Yes, but if…”

“If? You’ll drive yourself mad playing the if game,” Riley said.

“You really think I should do it?”

“I think you want to. So, yes.”

“If…”

Riley raised a brow.

“Okay,” Fallon conceded defeat. “I’ll think about it. I can’t make something like that work alone.”

“Talk to Dave.”

“Dave?”

“He’s an expert skier who is studying business.”

“He doesn’t even want my help with a job at Murphy’s.”

“Maybe because that would be you helping him . You could use his help if you decide to pursue opening a ski school or tour agency.”

“True.”

“So? Think about it. See if he’s interested.”

“I will—on one condition,” Fallon said.

“A condition?”

“Promise me you’ll think about leaving your editing job.”

“Fallon.”

“Not because of our plans,” Fallon said. “Because you have always wanted to write a novel. Start.”

“Fallon, I…”

“You said it yourself. Life is unpredictable. We don’t need your income.”

“That isn’t the point.”

“I know how you feel about working. Work toward what you want most,” Fallon said. “This is a partnership, Riley.”

“You earned your wealth.”

Fallon laughed.

“Why is that funny?” Riley asked.

“Your idea of earned might be different than mine. I worked; that much is true. I wouldn’t say I earned my wealth. I made investments that panned out.”

Riley sighed inwardly. For some reason, Fallon felt unworthy of the wealth she had earned.

It was as if, because she hadn’t labored with her hands, she didn’t believe she had accomplished anything.

It was luck. Riley disagreed. Fallon didn’t just possess a talent for investing; she learned every aspect of the financial business.

She understood how it intertwined. It was Fallon’s nature to learn everything she could about something.

She was naturally curious. Fallon was also determined, focused, and a perfectionist. When she took on a task, she poured her heart and soul into it.

Riley understood that most people looked at Fallon and assumed that things came easily to her.

While Fallon possessed natural athleticism and intelligence, not every adventure she took on proved to be easy.

Fallon refused to give up. When she stumbled, she doubled her efforts.

Her need to make things work was one reason she struggled to let Olivia go.

She continually questioned what she had missed and what more she should have done to preserve their relationship.

Finance and investing were areas that came naturally to Fallon, much like skiing.

She downplayed her efforts in both. She would have been an excellent skier without constant practice, just as she could have built some wealth without learning everything possible about financial investments and trading.

Her expertise is what made her stand out, and that required dedication and effort.

“Why do you do that?” Riley asked.

“What did I do?”

“Why do you downplay your success?”

“I’m not.”

“Fallon,” Riley said. “You do.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal because you seem to feel as if you need to apologize for your talents.”

“That’s not true.”

“I know you better than you think,” Riley said. “There’s a reason it’s harder for you to let go of Murphy’s, even a little, than it was for you to leave your job in Manhattan behind.”

“New York didn’t fit me.”

“I believe that. I also know part of the reason is that you didn’t feel challenged. It came naturally for you. You always downplay your skiing ability, too.”

“No, it’s just no big deal.”

“Fallon, you have tons of trophies. Your mom and Andi told me you could have pursued competitive skiing.”

“They’re a little delusional,” Fallon said.

“Mm. Somehow, I doubt that.”

“It’s true. They like to brag.”

Riley’s lips thinned into a tight line.

“What?” Fallon asked.

“They’re proud of you.”

Fallon groaned.

“You really struggle with that, don’t you?”

“What?”

“Having people show their pride in you,” Riley said.

“Not if it’s warranted.”

“And you think unless something is a struggle for you to master, you don’t deserve to feel proud of your accomplishments?”

“I think that working for something is what warrants credit,” Fallon replied.

“Mm. Your mother also told me that you spent long hours skiing the same slope until you mastered it.”

“Sure. But it wasn’t a…”

“Chore?” Riley guessed. She shook her head. “Fallon, it’s okay to pursue something you love—something you have a talent for.”

“Maybe, but it doesn’t feel like it’s a challenge.”

“And conquering a challenge is what makes you feel accomplished.”

“I guess,” Fallon admitted.

“Is this what makes you reluctant to consider opening a business as a ski instructor?”

“Maybe it is—partly.”

“And the other parts?”

“Riley, we’re talking about having a baby.”

“And?”

“And if I start a new business, it will take me away from home.”

Riley took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and smiled. “I need you to hear me. Just listen to me. Okay?”

Fallon nodded.

“When we welcome a new baby, I want to step back.”

Fallon’s brow knitted.

“From working,” Riley said.

“You can do that now.”

“I asked you to listen to me.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay. You think I don’t understand how you feel about starting something new. I know you. I love you for who you are. Many things come more easily for you than they do for most people.”

“I don’t think that’s true.”