Saturday came with the kind of sunlight that made the whole town feel alive. The main street was busier than usual — the farmer's market had returned for the season, and the air was full of the scent of bread, herbs, and early strawberries.
Hannah hadn't planned to go. She usually avoided crowds, especially after a long week at the shop. But when Emma texted "Meet me by the coffee stall?" she found herself smiling before she even answered.
When she arrived, Emma was waiting by the flower stand, hands tucked in her jacket pockets, her expression softening when she saw her.
"You came," Emma said.
"Wouldn't miss it," Hannah replied, feeling the words more than she meant to.
They wandered through the rows of booths together, stopping to taste honey, look at handmade ceramics, and listen to a street musician playing something wistful on a guitar. Every so often their shoulders brushed, and every touch felt deliberate — not hidden, not shy, just real.
A few people they knew passed by — coworkers, a couple of teachers, the owner of the bakery. Hannah felt her pulse quicken, waiting for the curious looks, the questions. But when Emma glanced her way, steady and calm, the worry began to fade.
"Want to grab lunch after this?" Emma asked, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "There's that place by the park — they make those ridiculous grilled cheeses."
Hannah smiled, the kind that reached her eyes. "You really know how to bribe me."
"Only with the good stuff."
They sat later under the trees by the park, paper cups between them, the hum of town life in the background. It wasn't a grand declaration, but it was theirs — quiet, visible, and real.
Hannah reached over, resting her hand briefly over Emma's. No one stared, no one whispered. The world simply went on around them.
For the first time, it felt less like hiding — and more like living.