Chapter 1

The wedding was three days away when Derek and Natalie returned to New York.

I was at the Sinclair house, setting up a new blood glucose monitor for Derek's mother, Elaine.

Natalie walked in with a smile and handed out souvenirs to everyone.

"Mr. Sinclair, I got you the whiskey-filled chocolates you love. Mrs. Sinclair, these are those California pastries you mentioned last time."

She'd even chosen the wrapping colors to suit the individual tastes of Robert and Elaine.

Elaine beamed.

"Natalie always remembers us, even when she's on vacation."

I glanced down at the monitor.

Elaine had diabetes. Her doctor had repeatedly told her to watch her sugar intake.

She'd called me over to help set up the device. I'd spent the entire afternoon learning how it worked. She hadn't thanked me once.

Natalie brought back chocolates Elaine couldn't eat, and Elaine still saw the gesture as thoughtful.

This wasn't the first time.

Two years ago, when Natalie first learned that Derek's parents didn't care for me, she'd hugged me and said, "You just have to make everything about facts. You don't know how to charm people. Bring me along next time. I'll put on a good show for you so they know the people around you are worth knowing too."

I'd treated her like the closest person in my life. I really did bring her to a Sinclair family dinner.

At first, Robert and Elaine couldn't even remember her name.

But over the course of a single meal, Natalie learned which vintages Robert collected, found out Elaine had a charity auction the following week, and gave them her number, offering to help Elaine shop for a gown.

During dinner, Elaine reached for another glass of dessert wine.

I saw that Elaine had just taken her diabetes medication, so I moved the bottle away.

"Elaine, your doctor said you shouldn't have any more."

Elaine's face darkened instantly. She thought I was lecturing her in front of a guest.

Natalie laughed and looped her arm through Elaine's.

"Mrs. Sinclair, Audrey just worries about you too much. She doesn't know how to say it gently. I'll have one with you. Just one more glass won't hurt."

After dinner, Natalie texted me:

“See? I told you I could help. Your in-laws just don't know you well enough yet. I'll come by more often and win them over for you.”

I actually thanked her for it.

Derek had been pleased.

"Natalie knows how to handle people, and she genuinely wants to help you. With her talking to my parents on your behalf, they'll come around."

After that, Elaine started inviting Natalie out shopping, just the two of them.

Soon, Natalie was invited to Sinclair family gatherings without me even asking.

Every time I said I was uncomfortable, Derek would remind me, "She's your best friend, and she's trying to help. Don't overthink it."

Natalie's laugh pulled me back to the present. She walked up to me and held out a dark blue pinstripe jersey.

"Audrey, this is your favorite team. I went to so many stores to find this."

The logo on the chest belonged to the New York Empire.

My grandfather had rooted for the Blue Waves since he was young, and I'd spent more than a decade wearing their jerseys with him.

Natalie had watched a lot of games with me.

How could she not know?

I didn't take it. "I don't like them. Keep it."

Derek stepped in immediately.

"Natalie spent all afternoon looking for a gift for you. There are so many teams. Getting one wrong is perfectly normal. Don't embarrass her."

I looked up at him.

He'd remembered to pull strings so Natalie could get a photo with Ryan Kane.

But he couldn't remember which team I supported.

Natalie's eyes welled up.

"I'm sorry, Audrey. I've been so busy helping with your wedding that my head's been all over the place. I was just trying to make you happy."

Elaine pulled her close.

"Sweetheart, you've done so much for them. She'd never blame you."

Then she turned to me.

"Audrey, you're too direct. You don't know how to soften things. Once you're part of this family, you'll need Natalie to teach you a thing or two."

As if Natalie were the one who truly understood this family.

I clenched my fists and spoke. "About the wedding. I've already—"

"Ow!"

Natalie cut her finger on the packaging as she opened a souvenir.

Derek's expression changed. He rushed to find the first aid kit.

Robert and Elaine crowded around her.

"Quick, clean it. Don't let it scar."

Tears slid down Natalie's face, but she still made a point of looking at me.

"Audrey, were you about to say something about the wedding? It's all my fault. I've held you guys up again."

She said the word "again" very softly.

Elaine reassured her at once. "When have you ever held them up? You've been running around doing everything for them. Audrey should be grateful."

Derek agreed. "The wedding stuff can wait. Let's take care of your cut first."

I stood behind them, and suddenly I didn't want to say it anymore.

This was how it had always been.

The moment Natalie softened her voice, whatever I was saying, whatever I needed, could wait.