When You Least Expect It

by Haley Cass

“I told you: I don’t do things I don’t want to do. I want to be with you, Hannah.” More than she should, really. More than is good for her. More than is wise or safe for her heart.

Hannah huffs out an exasperated breath before she slides her hand down to take Caroline’s. Her laughter abruptly cuts off as Hannah’s warm fingers wrap around her own and then direct her over different architectural points, explaining what they are. She does this everywhere they go.

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.

But it’s more than that: it’s not just all about these feelings. It’s also about the way Hannah tells her one night, “I haven’t had a friend like you in my entire life.” And how she says it back because it’s true.

She doesn’t mean to realize she’s in love with Hannah over chicken soup, while Abbie lays against them, snoring through her congestion.

She didn’t mean to fall in love with Hannah at all. But here she is, curled up with a family that isn’t quite hers, and she’s never wanted anything more.

There’s an acute pain in her chest at the words, because Hannah just has no idea just how true her words are – just how hers Caroline is.

The urgency in Hannah’s voice cuts through that. “God, baby, what happened? Who did this to you?

But now, it’s beyond desiring Hannah from a distance or thinking about kissing her. She craves it.

“I could get so lost in you if I’m not careful.”

“I’m letting you guide us. I don’t want to… push you.” She’s trying so hard not to cross any boundaries, even though with every single day that goes by, she wants more. Hannah leans back against the door, her tongue sliding slowly over her bottom lip, and Caroline’s eyes trail after it, hungrily, before snapping to Hannah’s. “Push me,” she rasps.