Caroline can feel the surprise emanating off of Hannah as she takes it all in, before she slowly slips off her jacket. The high-waisted jeans she’s wearing distract Caroline from the fact that the entire population of Santa’s workshop threw up in her living room.

When her gaze finally makes its way up to Hannah’s face, Hannah is staring at her, her face the picture of entertainment. “Well, for someone who doesn’t love the holidays, it sure looks like you are about to host Santa himself here for the weekend. I guess the holidays really do feel a bit different this year for you.”

Caroline glares and sticks out her tongue. “Is it my fault your daughter is basically Cindy-Lou Who? Look at those antlers. It’s not fair.”

Hannah tilts her head before she bends down. Her hair falls over Caroline’s shoulder, the scent intoxicating and making her entirely forget about the tangled lights she’s struggling with. “I’d very much like to kiss you right now,” Hannah whispers.

Caroline is hungry for it.

“They said at school that it’s supposed to snow this time next week! Can we go sledding?” Abbie asks, staring at them from across the room.

Hannah straightens up quickly, her cheeks pink. Caroline clears her throat, her heart beating just that much faster.

“I, uh, I wish I could, Rudolph.” She gives up on the lights, just fiddling with them as she gives an apologetic look. “But I have my holiday party for work and I have to put in some face time.”

“Oh.” Abbie’s face is crestfallen as she looks down at the ornament in her hand. And Caroline feels honestly terrible for having caused it. Before Abbie shrugs and turns back to the tree. “Maybe Norah and her dad want to go sledding. And that way you can take my mom to the party!” She gives Caroline a far too adult look. “Unless you’re taking someone else?”

A nervous laugh titters out of her. “No, I’m perpetually stag.”

“Mom, Robyn said to you the other day that you have to go to more grown-ups only things,” Abbie throws out, casually, as she bends down to grab another ornament.

Hannah’s still blushing even as she narrows her eyes at Abbie’s back. “Abigail, how many times have we talked about eavesdropping?”

“Sorry.” And for her credit, she does sound actually sheepish. “I just thought it would be fun for you.”

Caroline isn’t sure if it’s good timing or not, but her phone chirps from where it sits next to her on the floor. She already has an idea of what it is before she looks at it and – yep.