“Well, believe it now, please.” She raised her head a little more to look directly at Lou. “And before you ask, it’s not just about the incredible sex—I’m not just experimenting here, in case that’s what you’re worried about.” She saw the look of relief that quickly flashed across Lou’s face and reached up to kiss her. “Yes, I’ve been struggling with my sexuality for years, but this is all about you. I’ve felt really connected to you since the minute we met. It was part of the problem of coming to terms with this—realising that I could imagine something more with you. Maybe a…relationship. When we talk about music or cooking or any of the other non-work stuff, I just feel…I don’t know, just calm and relaxed and myself. You make me feel like me. The real me.”

Lou smiled and kissed her tenderly.

“You are amazing, so confident in saying stuff like that,” whispered Lou. “I…I have been feeling the same way, but it would have taken me months to tell you.”

Stephanie snorted. “Trust me, this confidence is surprising me as much as you. I didn’t know I had it in me.”

Lou smiled at her, and Stephanie reached up for another kiss just because she could.

“Lou, why are you so shy?” Stephanie wrapped her arms tighter around Lou’s slender form.

“God, I don’t really know. I just always have been. Never been able to say two words to anyone without blushing or having my throat close up in fear.” She paused. “Family stuff didn’t help. But let’s save that for another time.”

Stephanie cupped Lou’s face and stroked the line of her jaw. She wondered what family drama had played such a big part in Lou’s history. Clearly, it had shaped Lou as much as her own had. A shiver ran through her body. Suddenly, memories of her uncle Terry, and all the anger and bigotry, tumbled through Stephanie’s mind. She forced those thoughts away—nothing like that needed to intrude on what she was sharing with Lou now.

“You okay? Cold?” Lou reached for the duvet and pulled it higher up their entwined bodies.

Stephanie shook her head but snuggled closer to Lou anyway.

“Just…my own stuff.” She kissed Lou’s chest. “Let’s tell each other, one day. I really want to know you, Lou. All of you.”

“I’d like that too,” replied Lou, her smile wide. “I want you to know me, to know all about me. Just the same as I want to know you. In all the talking we’ve done at the office, I’ve found it so easy to be with you.”

She suddenly laughed, and Stephanie looked up at her.

“What?”