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This box is a little bigger than the others, so I can’t imagine what it could be with our twenty-dollar limit, but Liam legit looks like a kid on Christmas morning with the way he’s tearing through the paper.

With the paper off, he holds up the box in his hands, turning it around. “I’m not sure what it is or who it’s from, but I love it!” He keeps one hand gripped on the side of the box, and with the other hand, he smacks the top of the box. “Love. It.”

“Baby, why don’t you open yours next?” I ask her.

I want her to open hers because it’s a gift from me. I have a few other things for her for Christmas Day, but I know she’ll like this one.

“No, I want to go last. You know I love watching people open gifts.”

It’s true; she does love seeing people happy.

She hands Noelle a gift.

Noelle looks up and smiles at her. “Thanks, Charlie. Hmm … what could this be?” She opens the small envelope in her hands. “Oh, I love Bath & Body Works! Thank you to whoever got me this!” Holding it in both hands now like it’s a golden ticket, she brings it to her chest and has a big smile on her face.

Charlie leans down and whispers something in Noelle’s ear, which makes her drop her head back on the couch cushion and laugh.

“I don’t think you were supposed to tell me, Charlie. Wasn’t thatyourrule?” Noelle keeps laughing, taking hold of Charlie, who is also laughing, and brings her in for a hug.

She walks over to me next since we’re the last two who haven’t opened gifts yet and hands me mine. It’s a thin box, the shape of a rectangle, and lightweight. I have no idea what it could be or who my person is. I rip off the paper and see a notepad-type thing in a box. I’m not really sure what it is, so I pull it out of the box.

“Oh, this is cool. It’s like a digital notebook or something. You can write in it, and it will sync to your calendar or notes on your phone or computer. This is awesome.” I hold it up and glance around the room. “Thanks.”

“Okay, since Charlie is the only one left, I’m just gonna tell you that’s from me, man.” Archie is turned toward me, holding his arm up for a high five. “Dude, I saw it and knew it was perfect for you. You are the most organized person I know. I thought it might be useful in class or whatever.”

To be honest, I’m a little surprised the thought that went into this gift. I love Archie, and he’s one of my closest friends, but he’s the funny, laid-back one. Sure, you can count on him for anything, but this gift actually does match me perfectly. I love notebooks and calendars and shit. I like knowing what to expect and when. My therapist said it was because there had been a lack of routine and structure when I was little. Maybe so.

I stand, and instead of giving Archie a high five, I pull him in for a hug and slap his back a few times. “Thanks, man. I love it.”

Pulling back, I look at him, and he’s just nodding with a proud smile on his face.

“You all think I’m just another pretty face with an amazing personality, but I see you all,” he says. He gestures with his fingers from his eyes to everyone individually, which makes us all laugh.

“I guess it’s my turn!” Charlie has her gift in hand and holds it in the air.

She makes her way over to me and sits on my lap. I wrap my arms around her and rest my chin on her shoulder.

She unwraps the box and sees a blank frame.

“Turn it around and press Start,” I instruct her.

Flipping the frame, she presses Start and turns it back over. Pictures of us start floating through the frame. Image after image of us at various ages. The one thing that’s the same in all of them is, my arm is always wrapped around her. Some of the pictures have Casey in them too.

“I just wanted you to remember that, no matter what, it’s always us. You are—and always have been—the very best part of my day. I love you, Boss.”

I bring my hand up to her jaw and turn her face toward me. Her eyes are shiny with tears, and I lean in and kiss her, then rest my forehead against hers.

“Hey, wait. Did that follow the twenty-dollar limit? I feel like some of you broke that rule.” Casey reaches over and grabs the frame out of Charlie’s hand. “This is pretty cool though, Beck. Top choice, brother,” he says with a nod and hands the frame back to Charlie. “I want to see the rest of the pics later though.”

“Beck, I love it so much. I love you so much.” She kisses me again, and without breaking the kiss, she turns her body to straddle me.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, break it up. We still need to say who we bought for. You can maul your girlfriend later, Linson.” Liam stands from his chair. “Okay, so, Casey, I bought for you. I don’t know why you don’t want to show the class. I thought I was helping you out. Clearly didn’t think it through with Noelle being here and all. But seriously, dude, it’s awesome.”

“Casey, just show us what it is.” Noelle grabs Casey’s arm and tugs.

His head is down, and he’s shaking it back and forth. “Pitz, I will find a way to get you back—I swear it.” He opens the box, reaches in, and pauses. “Noelle, please don’t think for a minute that I’ll be using this. My hand works just fine.”

She giggles, but looks confused. “What do you mean?”