Vanessa’s cheeks turned red.
“Rachel, whatever you think is happening, you’re making a scene.”
I looked down at the box, then back at her.
“Actually, I came to give you something.”
She crossed her arms.
“I don’t want anything from you.”
“Oh, I think you’ll recognize it.”
I held the box out.
Everyone nearby had stopped talking.
Vanessa looked from the ribbon to my face.
“What is this?”
“A gift.”
“I can see that.”
“Then we’re making progress.”
A couple of people laughed before quickly pretending they hadn’t.
Vanessa snatched the box from my hands.
“Fine. What is it?”
“Why don’t you open it?”
She glanced at the surrounding guests. I could practically see her calculating whether refusing to open it would make her appear afraid.
Her pride won.
She pulled the ribbon loose.
Then she lifted the lid.
And her face changed.
At first, she looked confused.
She saw the cookie tin.
