“And every year it’s the same answer,” said Claudine. “For example, if Rashida steals a gift from Alice, Alice can’t just steal it back. She must choose from the table. Your number is your number. No switching, no peaking, no cheating. We’ll go in order. Select a gift from the table, bring it back, and open it in front of the group. Let the games begin.”

Claudine did as she said, stopping before each guest with the bowl. Holding eye contact with them as they dipped their hand in, making the selection. It was another moment she liked. The locked gaze. Like the poem, it brought some extra drama. Raised the stakes and made everyone feel they were part of something important. Which, of course, they were.

When she reached Steve her eyes went cold. His twinkled as he picked his number. He’d never been able to hide his motives, whether it was a grope in bed or, like now, challenging her openly without saying a word. Telling her not to feel safe. He’d come for a reason and she’d better be on guard. There wasn’t a chance she’d react to his silent threats, and she moved on as quickly as she could.

By the time she reached Zara, she slyly let the slip of paper that had been cupped in her palm slide down into the bowl, careful no one saw. She wasn’t quite as stealthy as she thought and Zara caught it, giving her a quizzical look. But Claudine could tell she approved.

“Your turn.” Claudine smiled. Zara opened it to find the best number of all. The coveted finale, sixteen. She’d have her pick of the lot. The empty bowl went back on the mantel and Claudine gave Steve a look that said, scoot over. He obliged and made room for her on the bench. She took her seat next to Zara. Annoyingly, Pip gave a small growl. Making peace with the beast was a necessary move. She leaned down to its ugly little face until they were nose to nose and whispered just loud enough for Zara to hear, “Pip-kins, you ready for the game?”

“Wait!” said Zara. Whipping out her phone, she expertly positioned herself in frame as she propped Pip under one arm. The fire blazed behind them. “Quick selfie.”

Snap, snap.

“What’s your handle?” she asked.

“At Calhoun and Calhoun,” Claudine and Louisa said at the same time.

Tap, tap, tap.

“Oh,” said Zara. “I have zero service.”

“That’s not usually the case,” said Claudine.

“It must be the weather,” added Jules.

“That’s okay,” said Zara. “I shouldn’t have even tried. I love how no one’s on their phones in Aspen. So present!”