“There.” Angie pointed at the empty seat. “The maid of honor was going to sit next to the groom.”
He stared at the place setting. There was a wet ring on the tablecloth from where her pink martini had been. “Where’s her drink? She had set it down when she got the headache.”
“She was almost finished with it,” Angie said. She stepped away from him and picked up Robin’s place card from the table. “I’m sure the waiting staff removed it.”
Cole wasn’t so sure. “Do you remember how she said it tasted differently?”
“The recipe isn’t hard science.” Her fingers continued to tremble as she set the card down. “The bartender here could have used a different bubble gum. I’m sure she ate an hors d’oeuvre and didn’t know the ingredients.”
“No, she was careful. I saw her,” he said as he examined the other tables. Most of the guests still had their drinks next to their place cards.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Brittany said as she stormed into the room with Cheryl and Patrick trailing behind her. Her face was mottled red and her hair was falling out of its neat twist. Cole felt the anger come off her in waves.
“What was Robin allergic to?” Cole asked Brittany.
Brittany stepped back abruptly and gave him a strange look. As if she had already forgotten about Robin’s situation. “How should I know? Am I supposed to know every food restriction and allergy of every guest?”
“I’m sure she mentioned it when she had to choose her meals for the dinners.”
Brittany crossed her arms and thrust out her chin. “What are you trying to say?”
“Peanuts,” Cheryl interrupted. “It was on the card when she RSVP’d. She’s very allergic to peanuts. There couldn’t be any cross-contamination in the kitchen.”
“See?” Angie told Cole. “Accidents happen.”
He knew what Angie was trying to tell him. He shouldn’t waste his time and pursue the incident like he did with Heidi’s fall. But he couldn’t let it go. “Accidents are happening a lot with this wedding.”
“They certainly are,” Brittany said as she stood in front of them. Her legs were braced for a fight and her hands were on her hips. Her cream lace dress was pale compared to her flushed face. “And they always seem to happen when Angie is around.”
Angie rolled her shoulders back and cast a stern glare at Brittany. “Are you saying I’m bad luck?”
“I think you’re trying to sabotage my wedding.” The guests gasped at Brittany’s suggestion and started to whisper.
Cole felt the flare of anger. He saw Angie’s lips part in shock. And he saw Patrick standing behind his fiancée and saying nothing. Cole was ready to step in and fight for Angie’s honor, but Angie held out her hand and stopped him.
“Why would I do that?” Angie asked coldly.
“Oh, I don’t know.” Brittany’s eyes glittered with rage. “Because you want Patrick for yourself.”
Angie looked at Brittany as if the bride had lost her mind. “He’s not my type.” She gave her friend a quick look of apology. “No offense, Patrick.”
“Angie has never been interested in Patrick,” Tim interjected. “I always thought she wasn’t into men until she hooked up with Cole.”
“Thanks, Tim, but I can take it from here,” Angie said without looking at him.
“I know you don’t like me,” Brittany said in a hiss. “You’re jealous because you’re not the first person Patrick calls anymore. You’ve been downgraded and you can’t stand it.”
“You’re wrong, Brittany. I don’t care about that.”
“Then it’s because you hate weddings,” Brittany growled. “You’ve made that very clear.”
Cole wanted to defend Angie. Yes, she hated weddings. It took him by surprise, too. Her declaration unsettled him and he wasn’t sure why. She had a traditional streak that he loved. She wasn’t the type to flip through bridal magazines or cry during the exchange of rings. But she respected the vows and she upheld the values that were symbolized in weddings.
Although that didn’t stop Angie from hating this wedding, it seemed, and he didn’t judge her for it. She was trying to be supportive to her friend. No one noticed that she wouldn’t do otherwise for a friend. She would stand up for Patrick and defend his decision in a wife, even if he were making a huge mistake in marrying this woman.