I look up, genuinely touched. “Really? You’d do that for me?”

“Of course. You shouldn’t go alone,” she says simply. “And since it’s six and we’re already awake, how about I make us breakfast?”

“Sounds perfect.” I smile.

As I watch her pull out eggs and bacon, it’s like a scene from a movie. The way she moves, focused and confident, makes my chest warm. “You’re really good at this,” I say, leaning against the wall.

“Thanks. Just trying to help out,” she replies, not looking up from the stove.

“How’d you end up single? You clearly feel very strongly about having a family, and you mentioned that none of the guys you are ever with want kids. How does that even happen?”

“Long story, bad luck, I don’t know.” She chuckles. “It’s been one hell of a ride.”

“Maybe I’ll get the full scoop over breakfast.”

She glances at me with a playful smirk. “If you’re lucky.”

“I’d say I’m pretty damn lucky already.” I can’t help but smile as I watch her work, feeling a sense of comfort that I didn’t expect.

“Are the holidays your favorite time of the year?” I ask her as we wander back to the kitchen.

She grins at me over her shoulder. “Oh gosh, yes. My mom always made a big deal about them. We always had this massive tree that we could barely get lights on, and my mom and I would bake treats for days. It was so special.”

I smile. “That sounds really nice.”

She frowns a little. “This past Christmas was…bad…but I am vowing to make this Christmas the best one ever.”

“Well, you have some months to plan it out, for sure,” I say with a laugh.

She wags a finger at me. “Christmas takes a whole year to plan if you want it to be epic. I’ve already started Christmas shopping, and I’ve updated my Pinterest boards a zillion times. I have so many ideas.”

“Well, I can’t wait to see them,” I tell her, and I mean it.

She shoots me a look I can’t quite decipher, but then nods.

Savannah’s at the stove, humming softly as she works.

Noah, who’s wide awake, gives her his full, fascinated attention from his position in my arms.

“Almost ready, little guy,” she says with a grin, reaching out to brush his tiny hand. He coos, kicking his legs excitedly.

I can’t help but smile at the scene. Savannah’s got this weird calming effect on everyone, including me. Watching her with Noah, I feel something settle in my chest. For once, things feel…manageable.

I’m pouring coffee when there’s a knock at the door. Savannah glances over, eyebrows raised, but I just shrug, walking over to open it.

Jamie stands there in full gear, his Icebreakers jersey on and bag slung over his shoulder, looking like he’s stepped straight off the ice. But what catches my attention isn’t Jamie. It’s Savannah. Her whole demeanor changes. Her smile fades, her shoulders stiffen, and she looks anywhere but at him.

“Jamie,” I say, surprised. “Didn’t think you’d be back this soon.”

“Yeah, well,” he says, stepping inside and dropping his bag near the door. “Thought I’d swing by and check in. Plus, I’ve got something for you.”

I glance back at Savannah, who’s gone back to the stove, her attention focused a little too intensely on the pan in front of her. Something’s up between those two.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. But what, exactly? That part’s still fuzzy.

Jamie walks into the kitchen, looking around like he’s trying to gauge the vibe. He nods at Noah, giving him a little wave, but his eyes keep flicking to Savannah, who’s staying as close to the stove as humanly possible.

“Everything okay, Savannah?” I ask casually.