”How did I not see it?” she asked her reflection.

Maura had been so busy undressing her with her eyes that she’d not seen the unlevelled paving and had trapped the heel of her Jimmy Shoe or whatever his name was. She’d continued her stride, leaving the heel of the shoe in her wake. Jane had laughed heartily, not from Maura’s obvious distress at the broken shoe, but the stunned look of surprise that accompanied her sudden plummet when the heel she expected to be there, wasn’t.

Now, accompanied by the skin tight white tank, even Jane appreciated her appearance.

As she stepped into the foyer, she was greeted by the owner. ”Do you need a cab?” he asked her as she paused in front of the rack of pamphlets and brochures.

”That’d be great.” Jane smiled warmly. Tonight she would enjoy this town for the first time and not worry about finding Maura, if it was meant to be, they would find each other.

Twenty minutes later, the cab stopped outside a small bar. Jane had expected something bigger, more flamboyant.
As she pushed open the door, she was surprised to find the place to be busy. It was just after nine and a small woman was setting up a karaoke in the top corner. Buying herself a beer, she snuck into the back corner and flicked carelessly through the book that sat on the table next to her.

Maybe, a few beers later, she’d consider a song.

The knock on the door made Maura jump. ”I’m coming.” She called, hoping that Lucy would be able to hear her. A couple of minutes later, she pulled the door open.

Lucy’s mouth fell open. The royal blue dress that Maura had chosen clung to her in all the right places and accentuated her curves. She looked more like she was going to the theatre or a fancy art exhibition than to a bar.

”Am I not dressed properly?” she asked when Lucy failed to speak.

”It’s a little dressy but you look stunning.” Lucy said softly.

Maura paused. ”Should I change?” she stood back to allow Lucy in.

”Oh no, really, you look beautiful.”

’You look beautiful’ Jane never said that, Jane always told her she was beautiful. With that one sentence, Maura felt the tug in her chest. She missed Jane, more than she’d dared to allow herself to.