Chapter 3

That afternoon, Natalie showed up at the Sinclair house carrying a box of wedding favor bags.

"Audrey, I picked out all the candy and snacks myself. Try them. Don't let all my hard work go to waste."

Derek unwrapped a piece and held it to my lips.

"Natalie compared hundreds of recipes. She put more thought into this than either of us."

I took a small bite. A nutty flavor spread immediately.

"Are there peanuts in this?"

Natalie blinked.

"I added peanut crumble on purpose. You used to love nutty flavors, didn't you?"

I'd been allergic to peanuts since college.

Once, I'd accidentally eaten some at a dinner and Natalie had been the one who took me to the ER.

She knew better than anyone in the Sinclair family.

I spat it out, but red welts were already rising on my arms and my chest was tightening.

"Natalie, I'm allergic to peanuts."

Her tears fell instantly.

"I'm sorry, Audrey. I've been so focused on your wedding prep that I mixed up your allergies with Mrs. Sinclair's dietary restrictions."

She grabbed my hand.

"I really was just trying to help. Please don't end our friendship over this."

Elaine frowned.

"Natalie has been running around for you two for so long. She made one mistake, and she's already in tears. What's with the look on your face?"

Resigned, I set the ingredients list on the table.

"I'm not scolding her. I'm telling you I'm having an allergic reaction."

But Derek's face showed impatience.

"You always have to make everything about facts. Natalie is your best friend, not your vendor. She went out of her way to help us. Can't you comfort her first?"

"Besides, you're the one with the allergy, not the guests. Just don't eat it."

I looked at him, and something clicked.

Whether the facts mattered depended on who had made the mistake.

If it were me, they'd say I lacked social grace.

If it were Natalie, any mistake was just her being overly enthusiastic.

"The wedding has been canceled."

Derek froze, then assumed I was still venting from the argument.

"Audrey, fighting is one thing, but don't blow everything out of proportion. This is exactly why people find you hard to be around."

Before he could finish, Natalie somehow swayed on her feet and collapsed into his arms.

"Natalie!"

Derek scooped her up and rushed out the door. Robert and Elaine followed. Not one of them looked back.

Before the door shut, I heard Elaine ask urgently whether Natalie's blood sugar had dropped from all the wedding stress.

Natalie's weak voice answered, "As long as Audrey's wedding goes smoothly, I don't mind being a little tired."

By then, the itching had spread across my body. Red welts bloomed on my face.

A severe allergic reaction can kill. But not a single person asked about me.

They rushed out with Natalie, and I took myself to the ER.

Triage. IV medication. Observation.

When the nurse asked for my emergency contact, I hesitated, then gave her Derek's number.

She tried twice. No answer.

"Is there anyone else?"

I thought for a long time.

Natalie used to be the first person I would have called.

Now she was leaning against my fiancé.

"No," I said.

After the welts faded, I spotted them in the hallway.

Natalie just had low blood sugar. She was resting against Derek's shoulder, sipping juice.

Elaine had draped her jacket over Natalie's shoulders. Robert stood nearby, asking if she still felt dizzy.

Natalie saw me first.

"Audrey, what are you doing here too? Are you still upset with me?"

Only then did Derek notice the welts on my arms.

"You had a reaction?"

"Yeah."

He hesitated, then pressed a signed photo into my hand.

"Alright, I know you're mad. This was supposed to be a surprise, but here."

"I didn't forget to get you a gift. This is Aiden Cole's signed photo, the star of the New York Empire. So stop making a fuss."

I looked at the photo and felt nothing but exhaustion.

"My favorite player is Ryan Kane of the Blue Waves."

Natalie spoke up quietly. "Derek, Aiden Cole is my favorite player."

Derek's expression froze for a split second.

Then he rubbed his temples.

"Aren't all star players the same? Natalie's happy with whatever she gets. Why do you always have to be so picky?"

This time, I didn't bother explaining.

Just like the New York Empire and the LA Blue Waves weren't the same team.

Natalie and I weren't the same person.

I went back to the infusion area. They left the hospital with Natalie.

Half an hour later, Derek texted:

“Natalie wants something to eat to bring her blood sugar up. I'm taking her out. When your IV's done, get a ride home.”

Natalie sent a text too, along with a photo of the three of them together:

“Don't be mad, Audrey. Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair and Derek are just worried about me. I know you love me the most. You wouldn't really hold this against me.”

She was certain I'd forgive her.

Just as Derek was certain I'd never leave.