"There is still Chantico to consider." A beat, before he briefly squeezes her leg. "Don't get me wrong, I would love to go, and I appreciate the offer, but I do not think California is on the cards this season."

He could board his dog, but that's more money he doesn't particularly have at the moment, and he isn't sure he wants to spend Christmas in a house full of strangers. His sister will be there, sure, but she'll be busy with her baby and her partner's family. It's not the first time they've spent the holidays apart, and fortunately Poe won't remember it anyway. Next year he'll make it.