“She cheated on you.” Hannah states once again, not a question. Her hand is still clasped around Caroline’s and she doesn’t seem to have any intention of letting go.

Caroline sighs, the feeling of it relieving pressure in her chest. “Yeah.”

“Well, she’s an idiot.” The raw feeling in Hannah’s words goes right to her heart. Like Hannah hasn’t experienced ten times worse than that herself, and she still has the ability to be so genuinely caring.

It amazes her. Hannah amazes her, with her gaze wide and soft as it slides over Caroline’s face in a look so tender it makes her knees feel weak.

“World class mother, best barista in the city, incredible cook, architecture expert, and my personal defender.”

Hannah blushes and Caroline’s never been more charmed by a woman in her entire life. Even as Hannah rolls her eyes. “Yeah, that’s me.”

She shrugs it off, as she does to just about every compliment she receives. Caroline knows that Hannah gets that pleased glow about her, but also the disbelieving one. She knows she still beats herself up for the decisions she’s made years ago. And she gets it, she does. Everyone has their shit to work through.

But mostly, she wishes that Hannah could look in the mirror every day and see that she shines as bright as the moon and has twice the gravitational pull.

***

They walk slowly back to Hannah’s apartment, forgoing the T in favor of taking advantage of the perfect weather.

Not a date, she tells herself as they approach Hannah’s building. She knows it, obviously, but it’s a reminder for herself not to linger. Like she would if it were a date.

Still, her steps slow as they get closer and closer. Then again, so do Hannah’s.

“Thanks for today,” Hannah says, unlinking her arm from Caroline’s and turning to face her.

Caroline clears her throat, shaking her head. “Don’t mention it. Honestly, you did the impossible and made me feel like I actually understood art for once.” She grins. “My mother already likes you, but now she’s going to think you’re a miracle worker.”

Hannah snorts. “Hardly.” She takes in a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds as she searches Caroline’s eyes. And there goes her plan to not linger. It’s impossible to excuse herself to leave when Hannah so clearly has something to say to her. “I… I have to tell you something I haven’t told anyone.”

Beyond her control, Caroline’s heart leaps. “Yeah? What’s –” She has to clear her throat, making herself focus, when Hannah grabs her hands. “What’s up?”

Gray eyes, almost translucent in the moonlight and so, so mesmerizing, bore into her own, a nervous excitement apparent in them. “I’m – I didn’t want to tell anyone before I knew for sure.”