It was unfortunate. In this case, independent had been meant in a positive sense. Of course, he had no idea what she'd been through lately and for whatever reason they'd never been able to speak the same language.

"I'll bet!" he agreed with her view on allergic reactions. "I've never had one myself but I can't imagine that would be a fun experience. I witnessed my wife after eating strawberries once and I don't know which one of us had been more freaked out." He shook his head with a chuckle and then focused back on her with a reassuring smile. "So, I wouldn't want you eating anything that might cause that or any other discomfort. The goal is to make you feel better not worse."

He might have missed initially that his comment had sounded like he thought she was being too picky, but he was trying to make it clear now that it'd been to make certain of the ingredients. "I'll try to remember avocados are a problem if you ever come by the bar."