Brandi’s specialty was baking the nut filled Bundt cakes her grandmother had taught to make.

“Everyone loves them,” Tracy said when she called and asked her to bring one to the shower for their friend Marie.

The day of the shower, Brandi’s kitchen was fragrant with the tantalizing scent of almonds and vanilla. The Bundt cake was magnificent: golden and moist with a perfectly fluted top.

“I think this is one of the best cakes I ever baked,” she said aloud.

Brandi hurried to her bedroom to finish dressing. When she emerged ready for the party, Paul, her husband, twirled her around and let out a low whistle. “Maybe you better stay here,” he said. “I’m not sure that I want to share you with anyone else this evening.”  Brandi reached up and kissed Paul, “I’ll be back later.”

She loved how he always made her feel so beautiful.

When she got to Tracy’s house, Brandi found a chair on the deck that overlooked the maple shaded creek. After a flurry of gift giving, ohhing and ahhing and gossip, Tracy served the cake.

“It’s better than sex!’ someone said as laughter exploded all around.

Then Marie’s fiancé Greg arrived after a long shift at the hospital where he was doing his internship. Brandi was anxious to meet the man who had made her friend Marie so happy.

Marie linked her arm in Brandi’s and led her to where Greg was standing.

“C’mon, Brandi, meet my wonderful fiancé,” she urged.

As Greg bent to kiss Brandi hello, she felt his hand as it grazed her breast. She moved back and shot Greg a warning glance, hoping no one, especially Marie, noticed. Marie told Greg about her friendship with Brandi that went all the way back to Kindergarten. “Remember Mrs. Garvey with her rolled up stockings, Brandi? She was quite a sight.” Greg raised his glass in a toast , “To friendship. You girls certainly have shared a lot of good times.”

Brandi cringed at the word girls. Marie laughed. “Brandi is a modern woman—she hates being called a girl.”

“Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to offend,” Greg said. He pulled Brandi into a bear hug. She felt smothered and wriggled out of his embrace.

“Oh, don’t mind him,” Marie said, “he’s so affectionate.” Brandi nodded.

“I want to go and slice up the last of the cake,” she said pointing toward the kitchen.

Brandi hurried into the kitchen and stood at the counter, trying to steady her nerves. Just as she placed the last slice on the plate, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning, she was face to face with Greg.

“Hey,” he said. “Marie forgot to tell me how beautiful you are.”

Brandi shrugged his hand off her shoulder, and turning her back to him, and wiped the counter vigorously. She turned back to face him.

“I’m not sure what you’re getting at. You do know that Marie is my best friend.”

“That’s nice—I like loyalty—it makes everything that much easier,” Greg said as he leaned over and looped a curl behind her ear.

Brandi pushed his hand away, glared at Greg, and left the kitchen as quickly as she could. He followed her into the dining room.

“Honey,” Marie said, taking Greg’s arm and leading him to the table, “you must have a slice of this delicious cake that Brandi made.”   She handed her tall, dark-haired fiancé a generous slice of the golden cake.

“Well, I’d be a fool to say no, Marie,” Greg answered. He smiled at Brandi and winked. Brandi caught her breath and began to play with the paper napkin in her hand. Marie is marrying this guy in a week, she thought uneasily.

With a sly smile on his handsome face, Greg accepted the plate. Still making eye contact with Brandi, he began munching on the cake.

Suddenly, the plate clattered to the floor as he grabbed his neck.

“Oh my god,” he rasped, “I’m allergic to almonds!”