Paradise Lost (Private 9)

eryone the ceramic tile with Kiran's name written on it in silver script.

"Yay!" Kiran said, clapping her hands as she got up.

She pulled out a huge black shopping bag out from behind the tree and started to hand out boxes from inside.

"You didn't have to get me anything," I said to Kiran as she passed me a package. "You already bought me clothes and got me a free couture gown for Casino Night."

"I did do that, didn't I? Oh well. Spirit of the season and all that," she said, lifting one shoulder and dropping the gift in my lap.

Once everyone had a present, we all tore into them with the vigor of people who had been forced to wait an inordinate amount of time

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with a wrapped gift. I pulled out a pair of calfskin Gucci gloves and slipped them right on. They fit perfectly and were insanely cozy. I saw that Taylor, Tiff, and Noelle had all received the same pair in different colors, while the guys had opened boxes with leather Fendi driving gloves. I wondered if Kiran picked out the gifts herself or if they were freebies from some of her designer friends. I imagined it was the latter, which made me feel better about the fact that I'd gotten her a tiny trinket box from one of the arty gift shops back in Easton.

Everyone chorused their thank yous as Kiran sat down next to me again.

"Kiran, these are too much," I said.

She clucked her tongue. "You are about to be showered with a ton of gifts that are way too much," she said. "You can't respond that way every time, so just.. . get used to it."

Point taken. I smiled at Kiran as Mrs. Lange called out the next name. "Dash!" Dash pushed himself up from his chair and gathered a few boxes from under the tree.

The rest of the morning proceeded in much the same away, each name being called in turn, everyone shouting thank yous and you 're welcomes and glad you like its. Soon I had a pile of presents at my feet--a Thread sweater, a Tracy Reese top, a set of stacking rings from Tiffany, a Longchamp bag. Amberly gave me a lifetime Carma Card--something she'd given to me once before, then stolen back from my room. I wasn't sure if it was a gesture of apology or some kind of dig (an obviously free gift), so I just said a quick thank you and shoved it in the box with the gloves. Dash got me a gift card

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from Hollister, which was about the safest thing in the world, thank goodness. He gave Noelle a pair of diamond-and-ruby earrings-ruby was her birthstone. I could tell she was trying hard not to look impressed.

"Wallace," Mrs. Lange called out.

Mr. Lange got up with a stack of white envelopes and started to distribute them. He handed one to Taylor, one to Kiran . . . and then he passed me by. I felt a sting and glanced at Noelle, who looked embarrassed. She shrugged and shot a look at her father's retreating back, like she might smack him upside the head later. Why would her father hand out gifts to everyone but me?

"Peninsula Spa? That is so incredible! Thank you Mr. Lange," Taylor said.

Everyone had received spa gift certificates to exclusive spots in whatever city they lived in.

'You're welcome," Mr. Lange said, lifting a stack of silver boxes from under the tree. He walked over to his wife and handed one of the boxes to her, then gave the next to Noelle, and then gave the third . . . tome.

"What-"

It was the only word that came out. I was too surprised to formulate what I was thinking. Noelle looked as confused as I felt. Meanwhile, Mrs. Lange already had opened up her box and gasped.

"Wallace! It's lovely!" It was a white reptile-skin purse, which she already had slung over her shoulder. "Thank you," she said, getting up and offering him a quick kiss.

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"You're welcome," he said.

Instantly, Kiran and Taylor started whispering. I could tell by the reactions of the other women in the room that there was something special about this bag. My throat was dry as I looked down at my gift, wondering what I'd done to deserve a box instead of an envelope. Noelle finally shrugged.

"Go ahead," she said.

We both opened our boxes. Inside were two more bags identical to her mother's. Noelle's was red and mine was a gorgeous rust color.

"Holy crap. You got her a Kelly bag?" Kiran blurted, grabbing for my new purse.

Everyone laughed in a nervous way.