Lou seemed to consider this new information before nodding in admiration. “Maura?”” she rolled the name in her mouth carefully, deciding on its flavour. “I like it.”

Maura grinned, very few people ever commented on her name, and even fewer voice a preference for it. “So Maura, you look like a woman with a dilemma.” It was phrased as a simple fact and Maura felt the blush run across her cheeks. If she couldn’t hide her feelings from a stranger, there was no way she could hide from Jane.

“Care to share?” Lou asked as she sipped her coffee slowly, regarding the doctor with inquisitive blue eyes.

“I really don’t want to burden anyone.” Maura began, “But I do appear to find myself in a bit of a quandary.” In that moment, she hated her inability to lie efficiently.

“Love or work?” Lou asked, leaning back against the wooden chair as she tipped another sachet of sugar into her drink.

“I think I’m in love with my best friend.” Maura sighed heavily, the words now free from her lips and dancing around the café, taunting her. “Yesterday we kissed.” She couldn’t’ stop them escaping, “but I know that, well I’m the only one who…” Realising that she didn’t actually know anything, Maura returned her focus to the foam on her coffee.

“So, why did your friend kiss you then, if they don’t feel the same?” Lou had picked up in the small detail Maura had deliberately left out.
 Snapping her eyes up, she smiled. There was an intelligence in those sparkling blue eyes that far surpassed the young woman’s years.

“I would venture it was a mix of elation, adrenaline a, endorphins and testosterone.” Maura offered eventually.

“And this friend…” Lou continued, as if Maura’s explanation made perfect sense. “Has she kissed you before?” Maura shook her head, avoiding the gaze of the curious stranger. “And does she know you’re into her?”

Maura pondered the question, a frown creasing her brow and knitting soft freckles together. She found it hard to believe that Jane wouldn’t notice even though she had given the doctor no indication she was aware of Maura’s increased feelings, although when it came to romantic interests, Jane was often completely unaware of a person’s desire to date her.