It was her first Christmas with the firm and she’d walked into the rented venue with more excitement than a company party warranted. But damn, was she feeling really fucking happy with herself, after having been scouted by Wilkens & Granger only a year out of law school, after working at a much smaller firm.

It was a typical boys club in the higher up circles, the same as many old school firms still were. But Caroline wasn’t daunted by that fact and mostly everyone seemed pretty decent to work with. She’d been actively assured by multiple people that she could bring her “girlfriend or partner or wife” with her to the party.

Not that she had one to bring, given that her girlfriend had broken up with her. A week and a half before Christmas. She scowled – of course.

Anyway. It was a good party. W&G pulled out all the catering and decoration stops, holiday music blasting from the speakers. And Caroline found herself behind the refreshments table, with a deadly combination of not having eaten all day and a serious weakness for cookies.

“Are you enjoying those?” A soft voice asked from her left, surprising her.

Caroline turned quickly and presently choked on the cookie she’d been chewing. The most stunning blonde with gunmetal gray eyes that captivated her on the spot stood a few inches away with a small smile on her lips, as she gestured at the collection of frosted sugar cookies on Caroline’s plate.

She’s a few inches taller than Caroline, in a floor-length pale gold dress that shimmers and makes her seem like she herself is glowing. She’s completely spellbinding, it’s the only word that comes to mind.

After a few moments of embarrassing gaping, she managed to swallow the food in her mouth before she coughed. “I’m – yeah, they’re actually amazing. And this is coming from someone who normally doesn’t love sugar cookies in spite of,” she lowered her voice conspiratorially, “A serious love affair with both sugar and cookies.”

A charming flush worked over the woman’s cheeks. “I won’t tell anyone. But as the person who made them, I’m feeling pretty pleased.”

Staring with what she knew was akin to amazement, she looked from the woman to her plate and back. “You made these? I assumed it was all catered…”

The small smile morphed into a bigger, beaming one and with it, Caroline’s stomach dipped into butterflies. An answering grin tugged at her own lips.

“Most of it is, actually. But I’m on the event council for the firm and I just figured… why not contribute a bit?”

“You’re contributing terrible things to my self-control.”

“I think this time of year is just about when everyone’s self-control takes a dive.” The blonde shot back with a mock-whisper.