Hannah crosses her arms and impressively manages to look serious even with her hands encased in those mittens. “I’m not – you know the state of my finances, yes. But I don’t need your pity and I don’t want you assuming that I can’t take my daughter to the zoo on my own dime. I don’t need anyone to pay our way.”

She blinks at her in shock, because she’d just honestly had no idea. “Hannah –”

But Hannah is already walking away, her eyes trained on the kids, who have decided it’s time to move on.

She hustles to keep up, reaching out to touch Hannah’s stiff back through her jacket to get her to look at her. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I swear. I was prepared to be paying for four extra tickets today – my other nieces and nephew were supposed to come – so I just, it just came out. I didn’t mean anything by it,” she repeats.

This is why it’s not a good idea to be friends with clients, she reminds herself. Misunderstandings or blurred lines that can easily bring sour notes to an otherwise good relationship.

Hannah looks at her intently. A look she sort of likes, in a way. Like Hannah is trying to puzzle her out, too. And apparently she passes muster, because the agitation melts from her expression. “You didn’t?”

She shakes her head. “And I don’t pity you; I respect you, a lot.”

She’s glad that Hannah seems to be able to tell that she means it, her expression lightening even more as they keep walking. It makes relief trickle through her. She doesn’t want that – Hannah thinking poorly of her. Or worse, thinking that Caroline thinks poorly of her.

“You were going to take even more kids to the zoo by yourself on your day off from work?” Her voice is back to normal, a teasing tone there, and Caroline’s shoulders lose her tension. “How many nieces and nephews do you have?”

“Six in total. Zach and his sister, Erin, are my brother, Todd’s. She got invited to an indoor trampoline park today last minute, so…”

“Who can pass that up?” Hannah astutely comments, a knowing look on her face.

“Exactly. And my oldest brother, Brian, has three. Melissa, Carly, and Connor. But they all ended up going to see their grandparents on their mother’s side for February vacation. Norah is Jared’s; I watch her more than anyone else.” Seeing as her brother is a single father who manages a construction site, during school vacations she and her parents pitch in a bit.

Gray eyes watch her with a soft smile pulling at the side of her mouth. It’s one she hasn’t seen before, but judging by the dip low in her stomach – attractive serotonin shot, party of one – she likes it.

“So, you’re Super Aunt.”