After she’d paid for the tickets and a large bucket of popcorn for the three of them, Hannah had given her a look. A playful one. “You’re spoiling her.”

She held up her hands in defense. “I’m spoiling myself; I love movie popcorn.”

“It’s just not the same as it is at home, mom!” Abbie had called over her shoulder as she’d marched forward toward their seats.

Hannah shot her with a look, wordlessly saying your influence. But there was a smile playing on her lips, too, an indulgent one that was becoming more and more familiar to her. One that made her feel proud and worthy every time, because it just looked really, really good on Hannah’s lips.

“Okay, fine, so what? Spending time with Hannah and Abbie is more fun than spending the night alone.” And more fun than spending it with most other people, too, but that wouldn’t help her case at the moment.

Kris merely hmms, the sound full of warning.

Caroline shakes her head as she goes back to playing with Jason.

She has everything in balance. It’s perfectly fine.

***

Caroline realizes she’s a little bit of a liar the following week.

It’s Sunday and she shouldn’t have been at work at all; she should have been at home, having a relaxing day. Instead, she’s spent five hours with a particularly high profile client – perhaps the highest profile she’s ever worked with – that is very under wraps, all the while making sure she has all of her ducks in a row, prepared to go to Hannah and Michael’s settlement hearing soon.

That is also a particularly trying situation, given that Michael does have more money and connections than God herself and he is dragging his heels as much as he possibly can. He knows exactly what lines he's able to toe and how far he can push things, and it’s just a headache.

Regardless, she’s just gotten home and receives a text from Hannah stating that she and Abbie have gone to a bakery – a treat for Abbie for having a perfect report card – in Caroline’s neck of the woods.

Hannah – 6:09PM
Sorry that you’ve had a long day :(
We got you a cannoli. We can drop it off real quick?

She’s only just changed out of her pantsuit from work and has settled down on the couch with a glass of wine and honestly, nothing sounds better than a visit from Hannah and Abbie tonight.

Caroline – 6:10PM
Idk… you know I don’t really like desserts :/

Her condo door flings open only moments later, Abbie having given up knocking several weeks ago. She presents her proudly with a slightly rumpled Mike’s Pastry box as Hannah shuts the door and follows her in, waving her phone with Caroline’s text still open.

She shakes her head, teasing. “I can’t believe you would lie to me.”