Chapter 1 - IS THAT WHY YOU PUT MANGO IN MY FOOD?
Daniel Carter had one hand on Emily’s shoulder and the other at her jaw when she realized what was on the spoon.
Mango.
Bright yellow.
Soft.
Close enough that she could smell it.
Emily twisted hard in the dining chair.
“Daniel! I’m allergic!”
He pushed the spoon closer.
Not into her throat.
Not enough to choke her.
Still far too close.
Emily grabbed his wrist and knocked the spoon sideways.
It hit the table.
Vanessa laughed.
Not nervously.
Curiously.
“I just wanted to see what happens!”
Emily stopped.
The fear disappeared from her face.
“What?”
Vanessa’s smile weakened.
Emily shoved Daniel’s arm away, stood, crossed the space between them, and slapped Vanessa once across the face.
“You think my allergy is a joke?!”
Vanessa staggered back.
Emily’s breathing sharpened.
Then she coughed.
Touched her cheek.
Mild warmth spread across her face.
Daniel looked less certain.
Emily grabbed the plate containing sliced mango and slammed it onto the table.
Vanessa backed away.
Daniel stared at her.
“Don’t.”
Vanessa pointed at him.
“He said it wouldn’t be that bad!”
Daniel froze.
Emily slowly turned.
“Is that why you put mango in my food?”
No one spoke.
Emily looked from Daniel to Vanessa.
Then at the meal she had already eaten several bites of.
Her voice lowered.
“How much did you put in?”
Daniel flinched.
That was enough.
Emily stepped back.
Not toward him.
May you like
Toward her phone.
And the argument stopped being about dinner.
