“Hey,” she keeps her voice low, until Abbie looks up at her. “You can’t tell me we’re done hanging out; we haven’t even gone on a duck boat yet.” She purposefully brings up the activity that Abbie always mentions when they see them around the city. It just hasn’t fit into their schedule yet, plus when she inevitably gives in, it’s going to hurt her Boston pride to do something so touristy.

Abbie’s face absolutely lights up.

She realizes only then that the conversation between Hannah and Robyn had fallen quiet at Abbie’s question. Robyn, still with the considering look on her face, gives her a nod with the hint of a smile.

But Hannah’s smile is warm enough that Caroline feels it everywhere. “Good. We’d hate it if you disappeared.”

***

The Parker family Father’s Day is a lot more eventful for Caroline than it typically is.

First, because when they’re gearing up for their annual father-and-child flag football game, Hannah and Abbie show up.

She grins brightly when she sees them walking up the side walkway, rushing to greet them before they can be bombarded by the other Parker family members. Her family is loud and full of good-natured busybodies, who pester Hannah with questions and comments about her life. She’d warned her, of course, months ago that they’d be like this.

Despite sometimes looking vaguely discomforted by the attention, Hannah always handles the group effortlessly. In private, she’d told her, “Your family is perfect. Besides, I was a trophy wife at events with many more people who were much worse intentioned.”

Which is good, because her mom had immediately flocked to both Abbie and Hannah and now demands they come to every single get together, which floods Caroline with excitement. A stupid one, sure, but still.

She finishes tying the green ribbon for the football game around her waist as she meets them at the backyard gate. Dark eyes first do an automatic once-over of Hannah, and when did Caroline develop such a thing for her collarbones?

The fact that summer has arrived and with it, a barrage of form-fitting tank tops in Hannah’s wardrobe, which has been proving to be both heaven and hell for her libido.

She clears her throat, dropping her eyes to Abbie, who shuffles on her feet as she looks down at the ground. “I didn’t think you’d be gracing us with your presence today, Ms. Abbacado.”

Abbie’s eyes flick up to her as Hannah gently strokes a hand through Abbie’s wavy hair. “We thought it might be a good idea to get out of the house for a bit.” Hannah tells her when Abbie remains quiet. “Plus, Norah told Ab that she really wanted to hang out with her today, so we figured we would come by for a bit.”