Page 102 of A Newport Christmess

My stomach dropped at the memory of me hiding from Landon and Rachel, pressed against the pokey boughs of the tree in the front lobby. No wonder my skin was itching so fiercely. I hurried to the mirror over the desk, and I nearly reeled back at the sight of myself. My eyes were swollen, my nose was red from crying, and mascara was smeared across my face, but it was the raised spots dotting my left jawline and cheek that I couldn’t pull my gaze from.

The itch was spreading down my arms and legs. I scratched, and new hives popped up in the wake.

Rachel turned on the lamp for more light and came closer, her gaze fixed on the raised welts.

“They’re hives,” I explained before she thought I had some contagious ailment that would leave her regretting sharing a room with me. “I’ve recently discovered I’m allergic to Christmas trees.”

Rachel’s brows lifted like she couldn’t understand what that had to do with anything.

“I forgot and touched the Christmas tree in the lobby.”

“What do you do for them?”

“Last time, Landon got me Benadryl and some ointment, but I don’t—”

“There’s a small pharmacy downstairs. I’ll be right back.” Before I had a chance to insist I could go, she was out the door.

I locked eyes with my reflection. “You are a mess. A ridiculous, awful mess.”

Rachel was back a few minutes later. “They didn’t have any kind of cream, but they did have Benadryl. If I need to, I can go try a store. There might still be one open.”

“I think this will be fine. Let me know your Venmo so I can pay you back.”

“Don’t worry about it. It was only a couple dollars.”

“Still. You’ve already done so much.” I opened the bottle and took the appropriate dose this time. “Thank you, by the way. For everything.”

She smiled. “I’m happy I could help.”

My heart twisted. She and Landon really were perfect for each other.

* * *

“Quinn?” A hand settled on my shoulder, shaking it. “Hey, Quinn?”

With great effort, I peeled open my eyes to find Rachel, her hair and makeup already done, standing over me, wearing an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry to wake you. I just wanted to make sure you hadn’t changed your mind about coming to the wedding.”

My head was groggy, and all I wanted to do was close my eyes and go back to sleep. So much for feeling refreshed in the morning. Stupid medicine. Medicine! My hand flew to my face, suddenly remembering my reason for having taken it. I rubbed a hand over my cheek, relieved to find that the raised bumps had disappeared, along with the itch.

“They’re gone,” Rachel said with a smile.

“Thank heavens.”

“So you still don’t intend to come?”

“No. I don’t think I should.”

Rachel gave a disappointed smile but didn’t ask me my reasons for ditching. “Do you still want a ride to Landon’s to get your stuff?”

I lifted myself onto my elbows, still not willing to climb out from beneath the warm blankets. “If you don’t mind, that would be great.”

“Not at all. You can ride with me over to Rosecliff, then the driver can take you wherever you need. And feel free to come back and hangout here. You’re welcome to spend the night again, too. The hotel actually has a free shuttle we could take to the airport in the morning.”

“You’re an absolute lifesaver. And I’m going to find a way to repay you for your generosity.”

“Don’t you even think about. I enjoy hanging out with you.”

I glanced at the clock with bleary eyes, squinting so the numbers would clarify. When they did, I was sure I was seeing them wrong—or I was hoping I was. “It’s 11:40?” I flipped the covers down and scrambled from the bed, only to remember that I was wearing Rachel’s silky, green nightdress that was a few sizes too big for me. I wrapped my arms around myself to keep everything sufficiently covered. “The wedding starts in just over an hour. You’ve probably got to get going.”