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I went and sat next to her on the sofa.
“Hi,” I said quietly, under the noise of Dad trying to work the karaoke machine.
“Hi,” she said. Her knee was touching mine. “Open yours first. Please. Before I die.”
I unwrapped the little box. Inside was a single business card, matte black, with nothing on it but a phone number and a hand-drawn little red heart.
On the back she’d written: This one doesn’t go to the agency. No envelope required. T x
I looked at her. She was bright pink.
“Your turn,” I managed.
She opened my present. It was a pair of fluffy socks. I had panic-bought them at a petrol station.
She burst out laughing. “Socks. Ben. I give you my private number and you give me socks.”
“They’re very good socks.”
“They’re hideous.” But she was smiling.
Later, while Gemma made everyone sing Fairytale of New York, Tess caught my eye and tilted her head towards the hallway. I followed her out. She pulled me into my parents’ utility room, pushed me against the tumble dryer, and kissed me hard, her hand sliding inside my jeans and stroking me until I had to bite my own fist.
“Merry Christmas,” she whispered, letting go.
She walked back to the living room wearing the hideous socks.
Ending 14 of 16: Secret Santa. Go back and try a different choice for the full happy ending.