Chapter 1
David Anderson's adopted sister had an allergic reaction and passed out. David, who was usually calm, scooped her up and rushed her to the ambulance.
He was so frantic that he dashed out with only one slipper on, leaving the other behind.
When I went to visit, David was standing by the hospital bed, looking both cold and disappointed.
"You didn't know she's allergic to seafood?" David asked.
I couldn't even meet his eyes.
David didn't lose his temper.
And the next day, he sent me a file.
It was a "care manual" for his adopted sister. It was so long that it looked like I'd never finish reading it.
After that, I left the city and David behind.
Three years later, he saw me with another man.
The usually calm and collected diplomat completely lost his composure.
"Lacey, what does he have that I don't?" David demanded.
I watched him lose it, staying perfectly calm.
"At least he won't force me to learn a 99-page manual about another woman," I replied.
*****
When I got to the hospital, Ashtyn Lane was still hooked up to an IV drip.
She was gorgeous. Even with a sick look, she made that baggy hospital gown look like it was straight off the runway.
David was sitting by the bed, peeling an apple, wearing only socks on his feet.
I pulled his leather shoes out of my bag.
"Hey David, I brought your shoes," I said.
David didn't even seem to notice. He was completely absorbed in carving the apple into a cute little rabbit shape.
When he was done, he set it neatly on a plate and handed it to Ashtyn.
Ashtyn took it, grinning from ear to ear.
"It's so delicate and adorable. How am I supposed to eat it?" Ashtyn said.
"Then don't eat it, put it on display," David teased.
"Oh, come on! You think it'll turn into an apple tree and next year we'll get bunny-shaped apples?" Ashtyn laughed.
"Hey, you never know. Maybe it'll work," David replied.
"David, you're such a tease," Ashtyn said, giving his arm a playful slap.
They were laughing and joking like I wasn't even there, totally ignoring me.
I felt totally awkward, not sure if I should stay or leave.
After a while, Ashtyn finally looked my way.
"Hey, Lacey, you're here," she said.
I mumbled a soft response.
David kept his back to me the whole time, acting like I didn't exist and only paying attention to Ashtyn.
He left me standing there, watching them flirt and banter like a couple. It was so awkward that I wished the floor would swallow me up.
It wasn't until the doctor came in to check on Ashtyn that David finally led me out into the hallway.
He stood there with one hand in his pocket, looking at me with that calm, unreadable expression.
"You didn't know Ashtyn's allergic to seafood?" he asked.
It was a simple question, but it made me want to disappear.
I honestly had no idea Ashtyn was allergic to seafood.
Last night, Ashtyn came over to our place. David had some last-minute work stuff, so he was running late.
I asked Ashtyn what she wanted to eat, and she said, "Anything's fine."
I love seafood, so I made a whole spread of it for her.
She was all smiles, especially when it came to those saucy shrimp. She polished off several without hesitation.
But less than ten minutes after David got home, Ashtyn's allergy kicked in.
David was a young, accomplished diplomat. He was always calm and collected.
But when Ashtyn started gasping for air and broke out in hives, I saw that David totally panicked. His face turned ghostly pale.
He scooped Ashtyn up and bolted for the elevator, desperately shouting her name, so frantic he left one slipper behind.
David said, "Strictly speaking, it's not your fault.
"But Ashtyn had that allergic reaction because of you, so you should apologize to her.
"Come on, Lacey, we owe her this."
That last line left me no choice but to swallow my pride and pain.
Back in the hospital room, every time I tried to apologize to Ashtyn, the words got stuck in my throat.
David's face was a little dark, and Ashtyn caught on right away. She gave him a playful punch, grinning.
Ashtyn teased, "Come on, it's not Lacey's fault. Why are you giving her that creepy look?
"She made all that amazing seafood. If I'd said I was allergic, she'd probably think I was being difficult or had something against her.
"So I ate it on purpose, so she wouldn't get the wrong idea.
"If you keep making her apologize and she starts crying, people are going to think I'm bullying her."
David looked at her, a mix of fondness and helplessness in his eyes.
"You're always so considerate," he said.
"What can I say? There aren't many women as thoughtful as me left in this world," Ashtyn joked.
"Don't flatter yourself," David teased.
They both laughed, the vibe between them so warm and easy it was almost unreal.
The whole time, I stood there, feeling like I didn't even exist, awkward and out of place.
Before I left, Ashtyn hooked her arm through David's.
She said, "Lacey, you know my parents aren't around anymore, so there's no one to look after me.
"So I'm borrowing David for the next couple of days. Think of it as compensation, okay?"