After that, it feels like every time they’re together, Caroline is zapped with an energy so electric, she can feel it all over.

It’s not easy, given that just about every time they see one another, Abbie is with them – and Hannah is very, very careful to never hint at any changes between them in front of Abbie – but Caroline knows she isn’t alone.

She knows it in the way Hannah waits until Abbie runs to pack her backpack up before grabbing a handful of her collar and dips her head to steal a kiss in the forty-five seconds they have alone. In the way Hannah whimpers and presses her hips into Caroline’s whenever she sucks her bottom lip between her own.

Every time they see one another is full of looks so heated Caroline feels like her clothing could melt off and stolen moments whenever they can get away with it.

She’s never touched so much in her life. Not even as a teenager. And somehow, it’s still the most fulfilled she’s ever felt.

Absolutely wild.

xvi

xvi

The first night of Hanukkah finds her where it usually does – having a holiday drink with Kris.

When they’d been in college, the two of them had commiserated over a shared feeling of torture on the holidays – Kris lamenting back then about having to alternate between her divorced parents, “Thank fuck there are eight nights of Hanukkah or their divorce lawyers would have seen blood.”

Now… well, now it’s still much of the same. Just a different location, as they’re sitting on Kris’s couch.

Her best friend is leaning against the cushions, hand over her eyes. “She’s already planning Jason’s bar mitzvah. He’s a year old!”

Caroline snorts out a laugh, unable to help herself. “Is that better or worse than her telling you she could be dead next year and this could be your last holiday with her?”

“I don’t know.” Kris groans, before she lifts her hand and narrows her eyes at Caroline, suspicious. “You seem… chipper. Way too chipper for the holiday season, actually. You haven’t even mentioned your caseload. Who are you and what have you done with Caroline Parker?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She thinks she does a good job of keeping her face blank, even if she is bursting at the seams to tell her. To talk about Hannah.

Kris, having known her for over a decade, doesn’t fall for it. She sits up, eyes scanning critically over Caroline. “Okay, well, you always generally love your job, so that’s out. Nothing’s happened with your family, as far as I know, Todd’s still being a dick. Hannah –”

Caroline can’t help it. She can feel her lips tick into a smile of their own accord and Kris actually screeches.

“Hannah! You and Hannah! You – tell me everything and tell me now.”