Page 157 of What Goes Around

Apple shone best when she was alone. When she controlled the lighting, the angles, the narrative. Next to me, something in her dulled. Not because I tried to outshine her, but because I didn’t need to try at all.

I took a sip of wine, then glanced at her phone as she hovered over another shot.

“Do you want to take one together?” I asked lightly. “A sister picture.”

She froze. Just for a second.

Then she laughed quickly. “Oh, no. I’m good. I’m just posting the food.”

“Of course,” I said pleasantly.

I returned my attention to my plate, chewing slowly, unbothered.

About twenty minutes later, during a lull between courses, Brandon leaned closer to Marissa.

“Did you know Payton was pregnant?”

Marissa blinked. “What?”

“Her parents mentioned it earlier today.”

Marissa hummed, thoughtful. “Well. If they told you, it must be true.”

Brandon’s gaze slid past her and landed on me. “Ashley, you knew, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” I said simply.

Marissa’s head snapped back to me. “You knew?”

“I did.”

Her expression tightened, irritation flashing before she smoothed it away. She hadn’t known. That much was obvious.

I didn’t elaborate.

Payton had called me from the honeymoon. Laughing and crying at the same time. She thought it was jet lag at first. The nausea. The exhaustion. Then she took a test in a hotel bathroom overseas. Positive. Back in the States, the doctor confirmed it. Nearly two months along already.

She had never sounded happier.

I was happy for her.

Apple shifted in her chair.

“I can’t drink alcohol either,” Apple said lightly, nudging her untouched wineglass away.

Brandon glanced at her, confused. “Since when?”

She shrugged. “Lately.”

A beat.

“I’ve just been feeling off,” she added.

Marissa watched him over the rim of her glass.

“She’s been nauseous,” Marissa added casually. “Very sensitive to smells.”

Brandon frowned. “Are you coming down with something?”