Page 32 of Twisted Lies

Stacey suddenly felt bad for playing it down when Devon just wanted to be excited for her and to show her support.

Stacey put down her drink and leaned into the woman she loved.

‘Well, if you must know she told me how much I’d improved in both confidence…’

‘Well, that’s true,’ Devon said, snaking her arms around Stacey’s neck and pulling her close.

‘She also told me how much my abilities have grown.’

‘Also true,’ Devon said breathlessly as Stacey caressed the skin of Devon’s bare back.

‘And that I always make the effort…’

‘Oh yes,’ Devon said, moving closer towards her.

‘And that I always get results,’ Stacey said, allowing her hands to wander.

‘Absolutely,’ Devon breathed into her ear.

‘And that my skills…’

‘Jesus Christ, Stace,’ Devon cried, jumping down from the tabletop. ‘You are bloody lethal, woman.’

Stacey laughed out loud before taking a sip of wine.

Devon took her hand. ‘Come with me – I’ve got a surprise for you.’

Stacey couldn’t help but hope she was being led to the bedroom.

She tried not to let her disappointment show as she found herself being pulled into the lounge.

‘Oh, what’s this?’ she said as she took in the rearrangement of the room.

The sofas had been moved into an L shape around the wall-mounted TV, to make way for a dressing table, brought out from the spare bedroom. A new lamp had been placed on top along with her laptop and a collection of notepads and pencils.

‘It’s your working space,’ Devon explained. ‘You’re going to need to concentrate to study for your sergeants’ exam. You can’t do it lounging on the sofa, laptop on your legs while half-watching the TV. And look, I bought these so we can be together but you won’t be disturbed by the sound of the telly.’

Devon held up a new pair of Wi-Fi headphones.

Her excitement demanded a response.

‘Oh, D, I dow know what to say.’

It really was a sweet and thoughtful thing to do. They had supported each other’s careers from the very beginning.

‘I thought about setting you up in the spare room, but I knew you wouldn’t have used the space.’

Devon was right. Many days at work she spent long periods in the office on her own, and whereas she didn’t mind it there, she didn’t want to replicate it at home.

It was the perfect solution. Devon really had thought of everything.

‘I’m really blown away by—’

‘Well, sit down and try it out. We’ve got to make sure you’re comfortable.’

Stacey did as she was told and made her way towards the desk.

Twenty-Four