I've just started at a new job. The office is split into teams-while we all intermingle and work together, we each report to a specific team leader.
One of the team leaders, C, is... well first of all, she's not my leader. Different team. But what she is, is EXACTLY the kind of woman I get hung up on at the drop of a hat. She's very put together and glam, but in a quite down to earth sort of way. She radiates femininity but also warmth and humor.
She saw my socks (rainbows) and when I said they were my nod to Pride (I was joking, but I do a person who presents as female and likes women) ran to her desk and brought back a strip of rainbow colored sticky tape and decorated my computer monitor with it. She said she loves rainbows and unicorns. So when I was out Christmas shopping, and I spotted a tiny unicorn plush that was only a couple of dollars, I got it for her. Left it on her desk, wrapped.
She wasn't in for a couple of hours so I honestly forgot about it, as I was working. Next thing, there's this literal SQUEAL of joy from her desk-she's opened it. And someone around her must have told her it was me that put it there, because she came running over and pulled me out of my chair into a really tight hug that lasted (not long enough) much longer than I thought a colleague hug lasted.
Now I'm not for a second suggesting I think she fancies me. She's straight, and has kids, etc. But I think I fancy her a bit. Not necessarily in the sense that I want to date her, but... I really didn't want that hug to end, and I have a sinking feeling I'm leaning toward being a bit "teacher's pet" toward her. Anything to be hugged again.
It sounds so stupid and immature but here we are 😫 So my question is this. So long as my focus is on making her smile (in general, and at me specifically if I can manage it) and not on hitting on her, how awkward is this likely to get?