The Sweetest Devotion (The Affair Series Book 2)

Doorsteps

"Stef? Hey." Diane said as she opened her door only to see the blonde standing there rather awkwardly with her hands in her pockets.

The last thing she expected was for Stef to show up at her house again, but part of her had a feeling she just might.

Diane was well aware of most things going on in Stef's life, for Callie had told her about Robert not being her father or Jude's father.

She also knew the young boy was living with the cop and Diane knew the blonde well even if it had been years the cop was still relatively the same deep inside when it came to dealing with life's stress and struggles.

Maybe she handled it differently and less reckless than she used too but judging by how she looked on family day, Diane could see life taking its toll on her.

Regardless of their past, and their many issues the slim woman had no issue trying to help, listening or letting her talk for she knew how hard it was for her to do just that and whatever attraction she was still feeling she would ignore it. She would ignore it the best she could as Stef's eyes looked confused and embarrassed.

"Hey. I, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come. I apologize. I didn't mean to show up like this. It was rude of me."

Nervously running her fingers through her layered blond hair that had grown significantly in the last few months, Stef turned around as Diane quickly grabbed her hand, forcing the cop to look right into her dark eyes.

"It's ok. I could use a break anyway I've been studying all night. Would you like to come in?" Studying the blondes face, she knew the answer as Stef finally made eye contact again, swallowing hard. Of course, she wanted to come in but the cop didn't know how to say it.

"I um..I don't want to intrude or bother you."

"You aren't. Look, I know we had our issues, and it's been strange the last few months being back in each others lives, but I'm still the same person. And I still care. Please come in."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Because if I read one more sentence about how the brain functions, I'll kill myself."

She chucked as Stef let out a small smile following the woman inside. It was the second time in the last few months that she would be inside her old home as each memory flooded her mind.

"Have a seat. Please. Would you like some tea or anything?"

"Um, sure. Thanks." Taking her usual spot at the table the same as she had last time, Stef noticed a ton of books scattered all over the table along with a cigarette burning in the ashtray.

She could only guess that Diane had restarted again as the slim woman sat down looking embarrassed.

"I started smoking again. I guess the stress of school got to me."

"It's ok. I'm up two packs a day, if I'm honest. So I'm not one to judge." She admitted as the slim woman let out a laugh and shook her head. "So I guess you won't mind if I have one?"

"No. Course not."

Pulling one out of her back pocket, she lit one. The nerves started to leave her body some, and she ran her fingers through her hair again. Diane could only stare as she waited for the cop to say what was on her mind even if she knew it was like pulling teeth.

"What are you nervous about, Stef?" She soon asked as the blonde looked to her confused.

"What?"

"Your habits have not changed. You only do that with your hair when you're nervous and you won't look at me."