”Ok?” he asked gently as he retreated to his desk.

Jane looked up at him and smiled. Nodding slowly, she got to her feet and tossed her cell into his lap. Listen to my messages, I need to do something.

Jane strode into the café and settled herself in a chair in a far corner, shielded from the hustle and bustle of the main body of the café. She knew her arrival would be noticed. Now she just had to bide her time.
It took almost a half hour before Angela appeared at her table.

”Hey Ma.”

Angela didn’t reply, she only raised an eyebrow, watching her daughter carefully and trying to judge her mood.

”Please sit down?” Jane offered, her eyes lowered in shame as her mother stood, her arms crossed over her chest. When Angela made no movement, Jane continued.

”I’m so sorry Ma.” She looked up, finally meeting Angela’s eyes. ”I was a complete asshole and you didn’t deserve it. I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way.”

Angela slumped into her seat. ”No, you really shouldn’t have.”

”I was upset, about Maura.” Jane offered by way of an explanation.

”I know.” Angela reached out, holding Jane’s clenched hands in her own. ”She didn’t want to go, you know.”

Jane lowered her gaze, fighting back the tears. ”You should have spoken with her instead of being such a brat.” Jane only nodded. She deserved this, deserved to be reprimanded. Usually, it was Maura that told her off but never in public. She’d take her aside and there’d be the tilt of the head, the eyebrow raise. Jane had thought of this as the pre ’easy way or hard way’ speech and she would always get Jane to do the right thing.

”She loves you Jane.” Angela whispered.

Jane nodded. ”I know. She’s my best friend, I love her too.”

Angela squeezed Jane’s hands. ”I don’t think you understand.” She said. ”She’s in love with you.”

Jane looked up at her, her face crumpled with confused tears. ”She what?” she choked out.

”She loves you Jane, she’s in love with you!” Angela repeated, watching as her daughter processed the information. ”You didn’t know?”

Jane shook her head slowly.

Angela got to her feet suddenly. ”What on earth is wrong with you?” she demanded, slamming her hands on the table and causing a few others to turn their way. ”Do you walk around with your head up your ass?”