The afternoon sun shone bright and steady over the square, the kind of day that made even ordinary errands feel like celebrations. Hannah and Emma walked side by side, coffees in hand, weaving through the bustle of the weekend crowd.
The café where Hannah worked was packed, so she waved to her coworker through the window instead of going inside. "It's weird seeing someone else behind the counter," Emma said with a grin.
"Trust me, they're thrilled to have a quiet shift without me hovering over the espresso machine," Hannah replied.
They passed a group of teenagers handing out flyers for the upcoming town fair. One of them recognized Emma immediately. "Hey! You're the mural artist, right? My art teacher made us write about your piece!"
Emma blinked, surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah! It's the one near the community center — everyone's been talking about it!"
When they moved on, Hannah nudged her playfully. "See? Famous."
Emma laughed. "I'll sign your napkin later."
They spent the next hour wandering through the craft stalls, sampling everything from homemade fudge to spicy nuts. Every time Emma stopped to chat with a vendor, Hannah would end up holding something for her — a mug, a sketchbook, a jar of honey she swore she didn't need.
By mid-afternoon, they'd settled at a table outside the bakery, splitting a slice of lemon cake. The hum of conversation surrounded them — neighbors greeting one another, kids darting past with balloons — all of it blending into a comforting rhythm of small-town life.
Hannah leaned back in her chair, eyes half-closed. "This might be my favorite kind of day," she said.
Emma tilted her head, studying her. "Because of the cake?"
"Because of you."
Emma pretended to consider. "The cake's still a close second, though."
They both laughed, and for a few moments, nothing else mattered — not the stares, not the noise, not even the ticking clock above the bakery door. Just two people, sunlight on their faces, laughter between them, and a town quietly cheering them on without even knowing it.