The decorations are really the last thing on her mind as she enters the gymnasium with her mom and dad in tow. They’d had lunch together – a birthday tradition – before mentioning that they were going to support Norah’s homeroom at the bake sale.

They’d both given looks of surprise when she’d jumped at the chance to go with them, but she can’t help it.

Today, she’s on a mission.

Today, the Thanksgiving turkeys and cornucopia replicas don’t register. The Christmas themed streamers that usually would make her want to grimace aren’t even a blip on her radar.

No, today she only has eyes for Hannah.

Her parents split off from her when they spot her brother and she agrees to meet them when she’s done, barely paying attention as she catches a glimpse of Hannah.

Her stride pauses when she sees her across the room. The table she’s standing behind with another woman and a man – two other PTA parents, she assumes – is still half full with baked goods that look delicious.

But Hannah looks even more delicious. Her hair is up in a neat chignon and she’s wearing a knit sweater and leggings, a bright smile on her face as she laughs along to something the man says.

As she approaches, her steps slow and her mind, which had been so full of racing thoughts last night, empties. She’s never felt so tied up over one kiss, but she can’t let this one go so easily.

Hannah freezes when she sees her, hands hovering over the money box she’d been about to open. The gorgeous laughing smile on her face freezes. “Caroline. Hi.”

“Hi.” It feels so stupid falling from her lips, especially after she’d spent the previous night with a thousand questions on her mind. “Stopped by with my parents,” she gestures to where her mom and dad are, over at the booth that Jared helped build for Norah’s class. “After lunch.”

But she holds Hannah’s gaze and doesn’t let it drop for a moment, feeling the energy pulse between them and she knows that Hannah knows she’s here for more than that.

Hannah’s mouth opens and then closes. Then opens again after a moment. “Can I get you something?”

Her gaze doesn’t leave Hannah, though. It’s impossible, when she feels like she’s drinking her in. “Um, sure. I’ll take two brownies and… five minutes of your time?”

Hannah blushes – so faintly, but it’s there – as she shakes her head. “I don’t really –”

“You haven’t left this table since you got here three hours ago!” The PTA dad says. “Go and take a break.” He turns to look at Caroline, an easy smile on his face. “Ever since Hannah showed up last year, she’s blown us all out of the water.”