But as I emerged into the dining room once again to gather more plates, I spotted the pair walking hand in hand up the stairs. Tinsley glanced over at me, once, narrowing her eyes as she shuffled Rosalee, stumbling and tipsy, up the stairs.

God, they were acting like I’d tried to kill Georgia. It was just a stupid mistake. She’d be fine. It was just a little allergy, right?

“Please, ma’am. Let me take it from here,” said Delfina, nodding towards the rest of the food, scowling. Even she looked annoyed by my presence. “After we have cleaned up, the staff and I will leave for the night. I’ve put baguettes, cereals, and plenty of snacks in the cupboards and refrigerator for you all. .We will return tomorrow evening to drop off the bonfire supplies and the hors d’oeuvres you ordered,” Delfina continued, scrubbing the table with too much force.

“Sounds great,” I said, absently, turning back toward the stairs. The ghosts of Tinsley and Rosalee were long gone. Upstairs to bitch about me, no doubt.

But where has Bri gone off to? I wondered.

“If you need me before tomorrow evening, you have all my numbers, correct? And please keep me posted about Georgia,” Delfina said, sternly. I could tell she was ready for me to leave her alone, let her finish the clean up without me hovering over her.

“I will.”

The plan for tomorrow was a morning on the town, visiting Jackson Square and seeing the sights. Then I planned to surprise Rosalee and the others with a masseuse and makeup artist, to prepare for an exciting evening out, frolicking between bars on Bourbon Street. Then on our return, I’d planned a bonfire and appetizers for our final night before leaving on Sunday…

The perfect weekend. And now it had all gone to shit because of my own stupidity.

Because of my own impulsivity and selfishness.

A voice in my head said to me: What if you killed her? What if she gets to the hospital and dies? How could you do something like that?

But when it came to Rosalee, I was often over-protective and overzealous. I’d wanted this weekend to be perfect and instead of having a gaff at her arch nemesis, Georgia, I had taken it too far, and now the weekend was probably ruined. I just hoped Rosalee didn’t think I’d done it on purpose. I was sure Tinsley knew, but as long as Rosalee still thought the best of me, that was all that mattered.

I bid goodnight to Delfina and the staff, then thanked them again for the extravagant meal. It had been a lovely spread—too costly and over-the-top and with a disastrous finale, but still lovely all the same.