Chapter 169

“Tiffany Spruce,” she said, shaking. “My dad and Andy’s old man were friends. But it’s okay. Most of the time I like Andy anyway. College friend, right?”

Jim nodded. “We were roommates for a couple of years, before…”

Before Andy made one of the dumber mistakes of his life and dropped out of school, Andy finished mentally. “Tiffany’s in the Air Force, too,” he said, filling in the awkward silence. “You two can salute at each other or something.”

“I’m not in the Air Force today,” Tiffany said. “I’m on leave. And in Roni’s tender care, so you know…But you might know Dad, General Spruce.” She rolled her eyes expressively.

Roni poked her phone again. “Okay, last pickup, your other college buddy. Robert,” she said. She banged on the window and leaned through the partition to talk to the driver, practically crawling over Tiffany in the process until Tiffany gave up and moved to a different bench. Tiffany poured herself a mimosa; mostly champagne and just enough orange juice to color it.