Page 34 of Last Call (Open Tab #5)

For years, Riley believed she had experienced bliss.

She had been in love, felt powerful arousal, and enjoyed both playful and emotional sex.

Loving Fallon differed. In the past, the pleasure of an orgasm left her feeling sated and relaxed.

With Fallon, that satisfaction was fleeting.

A sweet agony followed the high that came with physical release—a sense of loss.

“Riley?”

Riley sighed and gently eased away from Fallon. She quietly unfastened the harness around Fallon’s waist, tossed the toy onto the floor, and kissed Fallon again.

“Are you sure you are okay?” Fallon asked.

“I want us to have a baby.”

Fallon blinked.

Riley smiled. “Why do you look terrified?”

“No. I just—I didn’t see that coming. I mean—Riley?”

“I love you, Fallon. I love you so much more than you understand.”

Fallon wiped a tear from the corner of Riley’s cheek. “I love you.”

“I know you do.”

“Can I ask? What changed your mind?” Fallon wondered.

“I didn’t change my mind.”

“I mean, I thought you wanted to wait until we moved to think about adding to our family.”

Riley sighed. “I wanted to give you time,” she said.

“Time to let go of your ghosts. And, maybe, if I’m honest with us both, I needed to let mine go, too.

We have. I felt it today at Andi’s. This is our life— our family.

The past is part of us. It isn’t haunting us anymore.

It’s a memory. And memories matter. The past will always matter, but it isn’t in our path, not anymore. ”

“Are you sure?” Fallon asked. “The house won’t be ready until close to the holidays. No matter how much help we have, moving will be stressful.”

Riley nodded. “It takes time, Fallon. Sometimes, it takes a long time to get pregnant. Maybe we’ll be one of those lucky couples who succeed on the first or even third try.

Maybe not. I don’t want to wait to start trying.

It would be easier if all we had to do was make love.

At least, it would feel easier. Time slips by so fast. I don’t want to waste a moment of ours together. ”

Fallon caressed Riley’s cheek. “Neither do I,” she said, pulling Riley into her embrace.

Riley exhaled and closed her eyes. “How are you?” she asked.

“Me?”

“Mm. After that stumble…”

Fallon’s animated guffaw startled Riley. She propped herself up to look at Fallon.

“I’m sorry,” Fallon said. “I didn’t succeed at being Casanova, did I?”

Riley shrugged. “Maybe more like Clark Griswold than Casanova.”

Fallon stared at Riley for a second, then burst into laughter again. “Clark Griswold?”

Riley shrugged. “I always thought Chevy Chase was kind of sexy—in a quirky way.”

“Chevy Chase? Riley, he was like sixty when you were born.”

“More like in his forties, I think. And I like reruns,” Riley said, climbing on top of Fallon. “And marathons.”

Fallon smirked. “Are we still talking about movies?”

“Why? Do you want to make one?” Riley asked.

Fallon flipped Riley beneath her. “Action,” she said, kissing the hollow of Riley’s throat.

Riley giggled. “Make it a long one.”

A WEEK LATER

“I thought you’d be off shopping for Owen’s party,” Carol said when Fallon walked into Murphy’s Law.

“Mom went with Riley. I think it’s a distraction for her.”

“Yeah. Dick stopped in last night for a drink. He looked beaten. Have you talked to Dan?”

“No. I think Billie has. It’s so strange. All of it. Do you know that Andi said Mary Branigan hasn’t even check on Dick—at all?”

“That’s the thing about Sunday Christians, Fallon. They only care on Sunday,” Carol said.

Fallon chuckled. “Sad. True. But Sad.”

“That isn’t why you’re in here an hour before we open on a day you told me you wouldn’t be here.”

“I want to run something by you. Actually, I hoped Charlie could be here.”

“He’ll be home in time for Owen’s party,” Carol said. “His father had some doctor appointments. Charlie wants to be sure he gets the facts, not his father’s revisions. Why did you want to talk to him?”

Fallon massaged her eyes.

“Just tell me, Fallon.”

“Okay. Here it is. I want to expand Murphy’s, and I want to know if Charlie wants to buy in—if you and Charlie want to be partners in the business.”

Carol stared at Fallon.

“Not the reaction I expected,” Fallon said.

“What are you talking about?” Carol asked. “Expand the bar?”

“Not exactly.”

“Okay. What? Get a bigger jukebox? More pool tables? Why do you want Charlie to invest in the pub? Fallon…”

“Okay! Geez. Slow down,” Fallon said. “No. Look, I’ve been thinking about things.”

“Like expanding a pub that’s barely in the black?”

“Yes. And before you say one word, I’ve been thinking about this for a couple of years. You’re right. It’s not easy to sustain this place on winter business alone. Someone is always in here asking about holding an event. I think we should add a barn out back.”

“A barn? What are you hoping to add to a petting zoo? We can just put Pete and Dale in a pen.”

“Not for a petting zoo. For banquets.”

Carol’s brow furrowed. “You want Murphy’s Law to offer banquets?”

“People ask if they can host events all the time.”

“People we know.”

“And?” Fallon asked.

“I’m not sure people we don’t know will want to hold their wedding or funeral receptions at a place called Murphy’s Law.”

Fallon laughed. “Fair point. So, we’ll make it an extension with a different name.”

“Fallon, I know you’re worried about me and Charlie…”

“That’s not why I want to do this. And it isn’t to fix Charlie’s problems, either.

Look, I’m starting something new. I don’t want to give this place up, and I don’t want to give it away.

No one loves this place as much as I do, except you.

You’ve been running Murphy’s for a decade.

No one thinks I know that, but I do. I want this place to be something special—not just for me.

Charlie knows the business. You know how this place works.

Hell, Charlie could move his shop up here as part of it.

This isn’t a freebie, Carol. It’s a business proposition.

One that I think might benefit everyone. ”

Carol remained silent.

“Hello?” Fallon asked. “Did you hear me?”

“You’re serious about this.”

“One hundred percent. You think it’s crazy, don’t you?”

“No,” Carol said. “I think it has potential.”

“Seriously?”

“What did you think I would say?’

“Frankly, I thought you’d tell me I was nuts and to seek help.”

Carol took a deep breath and nodded. “Since we’re admitting what we know, I might run Murphy’s.

You built it. That’s something you’re great at, Fallon.

You know how to build things. You can see ideas before anyone puts them on paper.

I know that. It’s probably why you’re great with investments.

I’ve worked with you for a long time. I know when you’re making a gesture and when you’re making a business decision. ”

“What do you think Charlie will say?”

“I think Charlie will want to map things out—look at numbers. I also think he’ll be excited about the prospect.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” Carol said. “He will ask you why you want to do this now.”

“There are a lot of reasons,” Fallon said. “And some of it is because his business is struggling. That means he’s likely more open to making a change. I want to get this new business with Dave off the ground. And, Carol? I don’t want to work with strangers. Strange people are fine. Not strangers .”

Carol laughed. “I’ll talk to Charlie.”

Fallon nodded.

“What’s up, Fallon? There’s something you’re not telling me.”

“I can’t…”

“Did you shrink one of Riley’s shirts again?”

“Not this week.”

“Okay?”

“Riley told me she’s ready to have a baby.”

“Why aren’t you dancing on the bar?” Carol asked.

“I don’t know! I’m just—I’m…”

“Worried it won’t happen.”

“Yeah. Why am I worried?” Fallon asked.

“It happens. It’s because you want it so much. Believe me, I get it. I didn’t think I’d ever get pregnant.”

“We haven’t told anyone, but we plan to start trying next month.”

“My advice? Don’t stress. Don’t set up the nursery yet or stock bottles. Just let it happen. That’s why I struggled at first—too much planning. Don’t be devastated if it takes time.”

“That’s what Riley said.”

“You should listen to your wife.”

“I listen.”

“You listen to me, too. You hardly ever take my advice. That’s fine. You sign my paycheck. Just make sure you take hers.”

“And I thought the whole town was here last year,” Ida commented to Andi.

“We’ll be having one every week if this baby train keeps going,” Andi said.

“I’d rather buy toys and eat birthday cake than plan funerals,” Ida said.

“Do you think Dora will come home?”

“Dick wants to bring her home. She managed to say “no” yesterday,” Ida said.

“No is a good start.”

Ida nodded.

“Riley tells me you might be making a trip to see Sylvia.”

“Maybe in September.”

“It’ll be good for you,” Andi offered. “And for Sylvia.”

Owen ran into the yard faster than his feet could carry him and fell flat on his face.

“Are you okay?” Andi called to him.

Owen hopped up, smiled, and waved.

“You must be excited,” Ida said. “Becky could go into labor any day.”

“I am.”

“Still worried about the kids?” Ida asked.

“More about Becky than Dave. I believe her when she says she wants to be here. I also know it isn’t always easy for her. So much hurt for her to handle.”

“Her sister seemed lovely.”

“She is. She must have thanked me a million times before she left on Monday. I just worry about Becky finding her tribe. Right now, everything is new, and her focus is on the baby. We both know she’ll get restless faster than she realizes. We all need friends, Ida.”

“You should talk to Riley.”

“About Becky? She knows I worry.”

“Mm. Riley also understands why you’re concerned. It hasn’t been easy for her. Everyone in her tribe was part of Fallon’s first.”

“True.”

“Besides, something tells me Riley and Becky will have more things in common to discuss sooner rather than later.”

“We might need to expand the town limits, Ida.”

Ida laughed. “We might."