“Because I meant what I said at Girl’s Weekend, the first night. I don’t know how to date right now, without jeopardizing this stability in my life. In Abbie’s life. And I know, logically, that keeping this life, our life, the way it is, is what’s right.” Hannah slumps, sitting on one of the desks opposite Caroline, the energy that wound her up draining right away. “But then I see you or I talk to you, and all of my very good reasons about why acting on this would be a terrible idea are…”

She runs out of steam, it seems, her hands futilely falling into her lap.

The silence between them is ringing, but Caroline is honestly still processing everything. Because – just – she doesn’t think she’s ever been more blown away in her entire life than she is in this moment.

Hannah props her elbows on her knees, her head falling into her hands, the sleeves of her sweater falling down to her forearms. “And now, I don’t know where to go from here. I need my life to be mine. I need my problems to be my problems and figure out how to handle them in my way, by myself. Independently.” There’s a fire in her voice, a certainty that leaves no room for comment. Before she sighs, her voice falling to a whisper, “But also… the box is open.”

The distress in her voice overpowers anything else for Caroline, and she shifts forward, her hand reaching out to touch Hannah’s. She trails her fingertips over Hannah’s knuckles, feeling the tension vibrating in them.

“Okay,” is what comes out of her mouth.

“Okay?” Hannah repeats, lifting her head. Her hair, previously perfectly done up, is mussed and she’s the picture of confusion.

But her hand flips over, and Caroline thinks it’s a subconscious movement, the way it clings to Caroline’s. Hannah doesn’t seem to realize she’s doing it at all.

“I’m not asking you to marry me, Hannah. I’m not asking for anything you’re not ready to give.” She takes a deep breath, shaking her head. “I can’t promise that everything will be totally normal because, yeah, this changes things. But it only has to change… what you’re ready for.”

There’s so much more Caroline wants to say, so much more on her mind. Like that she’s in love with Hannah and wants everything with her and for her. That for the first time since developing these feelings, there is a hope blossoming inside of her that she knows can’t be curbed now.

But she also knows that she can’t just unload all of that. It’s far too much, far too soon, and the last thing she wants – ever – is for Hannah to be uncomfortable. Or to run away before this can even be something.