Page 39 of The Christmas Letters
Ben leans closer. “I can’t believe you could have datedher,and you chose not to. You’re crazy, man.”
Watching the way she smiles as she interacts with her friends makes me think I probably am. But it’s too late for those kinds of thoughts now. Especially when I’m committed to seeing where things go with…man,I really need to find out my pen pal’s name.
While I’m watching, Tess pulls out her phone. She stares at the screen, worry lines forming between her brows. She glances at her watch, then looks at her phone one more time.
Something’s wrong.
Acting on impulse, I step toward her. “Hey, is everything okay?”
She offers me a tight smile. “Not really. But it’s nothing for you to worry about. We’ll get started soon—”
Her words cut off when her phone rings, and her face sags in visible relief. “Thank you,” she mutters under her breath. She answers the call, stepping to the side and leaving me with the friends she just greeted, who are staring me down like I’m the mystery meat in an elementary school cafeteria.
“Hey, man. Deacon Vanderhorst,” the man finally says, extending his hand. “This is my wife, Chloe.”
I meet Deacon’s gaze head on and shake his hand, even as something catches in my brain. Why does his name sound familiar? Overall, he seems friendly enough. Maybe just a little more curious than normal, but I don't think I’ve ever met him before. “Drew McKay,” I finally say as I shake his wife’s hand. “Are you friends of Tess’s?”
“She’s mybestfriend,” Chloe says. “And my cousin.”
The conversation I had with Tess that first day pops back into my brain. She mentioned her cousin was having a baby—the same cousin who was married to the brother of her ex.Which explains why Deacon’s last name sounded familiar.
Tess steps back into the small group we’ve inadvertently formed. “That was Mrs. Greenly,” she says through a frown. “She was supposed to have all the wrapping supplies delivered by this afternoon, but she got held up in Columbia. She’s still an hour away.”
“Can we wait an hour?” Chloe asks. “Maybe we eat first?”
My stomach rumbles. I’d be on board with eating first.
Tess runs a hand over her face. “I really wanted to get started earlier rather than later. I have no idea how long this is actually going to take, and I don’t want to keep volunteers out all night, and…” She sighs.
“Hey. We can make this work,” Chloe says. “Tell me what you need. We’re here for you.”
Tess nods, but her expression is still guarded. “Let me just think for a minute.” She looks across the pavilion where her army of volunteers are milling around, waiting for direction. “Mrs. Greenly says all the wrapping stuff is in her garage. What if I just drive over to her place and get it? In the meantime, there’s enough here that you guys could start wrapping the smaller stuff.”
“Totally,” Chloe says. “We can handle it. Want me to head things up while you’re gone?”
“Yes. That would be amazing, actually,” Tess says, but then her shoulders drop. “Except I can’t take my car because it’s still full of presents you’ll need to be wrapping.” We follow her gaze to her sleek SUV, the back hatch open, mounds of presents visible inside. “They’re organized and everything. Moving them isn’t worth it.”
“Drew has his truck here,” Ben says, casting me a pointed look. “He could drive you.”
Tess frowns, her brow furrowed.
Ben points across the parking lot. “It’s got a covered bed and everything. There’s plenty of room for whatever it is you need to pick up.”
“I’m happy to drive you,” I say to Tess, willing my voice to sound calm, neutral. It wouldn’t have to mean anything. Wedidsay we would be friends. And friends help each other out. “Or if you don’t want to leave since you’re in charge, I could just go and pick up the supplies.”
Tess nods, her eyes hopeful. “Yes—no.” She bites her lip. “I can’t ask Mrs. Greenly to give her garage code to someone she’s never met. She’s weird about stuff like this. She’ll give it to me, but I don’t think she’ll give it to anyone else.” She presses a hand to her forehead.
“What about Trish?” Chloe asks. “Isn’t she supposed to be helping tonight? Could she go get them?”
“She’s supposed to be. But she’s with her mom. I’ll just go. We’re wasting time talking about it.” She looks at me, a question in her eyes. “You’re sure you don’t mind?”
I ignore Ben’s smirk and pull out my keys. “Totally. I’m happy to help.”
“And can we pick up the pizza on our way back?”
I nod. “Absolutely.”Because we’re friends. Just. Friends.
Tess gives Chloe a few instructions about gifts and wrapping paper and which ones to start on first and then turns to face me. “Okay. Ready to go?”
