"If I stay moving, he can't catch me," she whispered to a skeptical Nick as they entered the first party.

"One night, guys! Seven parties!" Jess announced, adjusting her reindeer antlers. "It’s a holiday blitz. We are going to spread joy until it hurts."

This story is based on the events of the eleventh episode of the second season of the sitcom New Girl , which originally aired in December 2012.

Outside, as the group gathered to head home, the "criminal" Santa drove past in a beat-up sedan, waving. Winston pointed a finger. "I knew he was suspicious," he muttered, while Schmidt tried to convince everyone that Cece’s boyfriend's tie was "objectively too wide."

Jess smiled, finally feeling a bit of that genuine holiday peace. "Yeah. And I think I'm ready to take the antlers off now."

Jess looked at him, her antlers slightly crooked. For all her talk about holiday magic, she realized she’d been using the festivities as a shield. Beside her, Nick was watching from a distance, a rare look of genuine concern on his face.

"Jess, stop running," he said, his voice quiet. He didn't look angry; he looked exhausted. "I don't want to play games. I want to be with you. For real."

As the gang piled into the car, the tension wasn't just coming from Schmidt. Jess was feeling the weight of her own complicated romantic life. Her ex, Sam, had been blowing up her phone. He wanted to talk, but Jess, fearful of getting her heart broken again, was determined to hide behind a mask of festive franticness.