Page 60 of Hold Me Tight

“You go first.” I bite my lower lip and gesture to the box. I have no idea what he got me, but I have a feeling it might be alittlemore expensive than mine, given the disparities in our median incomes. Which is why I want him to open his first. I’ll be less embarrassed that way.

Grinning, Tim eagerly reaches for the box, ripping off the wrapping and throwing his head back in laughter. I grin at him as he picks up the “make your own wine” kit I got from an online gag gift store. Examining it, Tim reaches over, cupping his hand behind my neck, and drawing me down to kiss me tenderly.

“I love it,” he murmurs as he pulls away. His eyes drop to the small box I’m holding. Right. Let’s do this.

Taking a deep breath, I unwrap it, blinking at the small jewelry box. Holy shit. He bought mejewelry? My eyes dart up to Tim’s. He’s watching my face carefully. Flashing him a smile, I school my face into a neutral expression as I open it. Please don’t be too much. Please don’t be too much.

I snap open the box, a smile tugging at my lips. They are gorgeous and elegant and not at all too much.

“Oh Tim, they’re gorgeous!”

His grin breaks free as I carefully examine the simple solid silver earrings. They are something I would be comfortable wearing every single day. Thank goodness, because I know for certain that after I leave here… after I leaveTim, I’m definitely going to be wearing them every single day.

“I’m glad you like them.” He lifts his head as I bend to kiss him in thanks. “I’ll leave you to get dressed for breakfast.”

He collects his gift and winks as he strolls out of my room. I quickly move to dress, tugging my hair back into a ponytail, and sliding Tim’s earrings into my ears.

I don’t encounter anyone as I make my way downstairs, clutching Bill’s gift. I’ve never exchanged gifts with him on Christmas Day before, but I still don’t want to do it in front of everybody. Luckily, he has the same idea, and I catch sight of him at the other end of the corridor, holding a gift as he enters his study. My phone buzzes with a message from him to meet him in the study.

Heading there, I tap on the door and enter. He’s already got his shot out. “Might as well get this out of the way early.”

I quickly administer the shot, clearing everything away and sitting down across from him.

“Happy Christmas, Angie.”

“Happy Christmas, Bill.”

“I thought we’d do the present exchange now. No doubt you’ll be more comfortable that doing it in front of everyone.”

“No doubt.”

Bill hands me my gift and accepts the one I got for him. I’m always curious about what Bill gets me. It’s the only gift I don’t organize the purchase of. I like to imagine that he goes and buys it himself, but in all likelihood, he probably gets another member of staff to do it. Maybe it was Gladys this year.

Bill unwraps the book I bought him and smirks down at it. I’m pretty certain he’s never read it. I know he’ll like it, because I got the tip from Beau, who knows his books. Obviously. The man runs a global publishing company.

“Thank you, Angie. I’ll be starting this tonight.”

He nods at my gift, and I eagerly rip it open. And gasp. Bill always outdoes himself on gifts, and this time is no different. Tickets to a West End musical, a matinee performance.

“I thought we could go before heading back to the States.” His voice is gruff, and I blink back tears.

“Thank you,” I murmur and he clears his throat.

“You’re free to go to breakfast.”

I flash a smile, sliding out of the room, and ducking upstairs to deposit my precious tickets safely. When I get to the dining room, I slide into my seat beside Tim. He can see the evidence of my happy tears that I may have shed up there as well, and squeezes my thigh, looking concerned.

I smile at him, shaking my head slightly, and turning to reply to Beau, who has wished me, “Happy Christmas.”

Bill enters, rumbling “Happy Christmas” to everyone. They respond as he takes his seat and starts talking to his brother Harold, who is sitting to his left. Once the conversation is flowing around us, Tim leans over, his lips brushing against my ear.

“Is everything okay?”

I offer him another smile. “Of course. I’ll tell you about it later.”

Tim nods, turning to speak with his aunt Kelly, who is on his other side. Phew. If I said it now, I would have cried. Again. In front of everyone. That’s practically my worst nightmare.

Timothy

---