Page 48 of Risks

I reach the apartment shortly.

As I’m shutting the door, Toya stepsout of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her.

“Hey, babe.” She seems a little moreupbeat.

I observe her as she rifles through herclothes in the dresser drawers. “Uh, Ali says Lisa’s home from the hospital.Want to see how your mom’s doing?”

“No.” There’s not even a moment ofhesitation. “I’m glad she’s okay after that fall. But I can’t see her rightnow.” She grabs a long sweater and jeans. “Could we go out for dinner?”

My eyes trail her curvy form as shediscards the towel. Damn. I can’t get enough of her body.

“Maybe a walk in the square after?”she adds while clasping her bra. “I know it’s cold, but I love doing that inwinter. The lights and décor are nice to look at.” She hauls on bikini-style underwearand glances at me.

I free the tightness in my throat tospeak. “Uh, sure. Whatever you want.”

“Oh.” She grabs a neatly wrappedgift from the suitcase. “You were supposed to get this on Saturday. But, well,you know.” She hands it to me with a smile on her beautiful face. “YourChristmas gift.”

“Thank you.” I rip the paper, smilingwhen I realize it’s a grooming kit.

“You mentioned you needed a newtrimmer,” she says. “Is this set okay?”

“Yeah.” I lean in for a kiss on herplump lips. “Thanks, babe. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.” She puts on thesweater. “Also, those tickets you gave me for the New Year’s Eve show?”

I wave it off. “You don’t have togo. If you’re feeling bad about the money—”

“Let’s go together,” she stops me,sliding on the jeans. “We’ll ring in the new year in that enclosed garden onthe rooftop as you suggested.”

“You sure?” I set my gift on the bed.

“Mmhm.” Toya comes in for anotherkiss and embraces me tightly. “Let’s make the most of our time together beforeI head back to Cali.”

“You don’t want to take some time?” Iask at the side of her head. “You just found out something huge and—”

“I’d rather go back. School willdistract me.”

I ease her away to touch her cheek.“Toya, you told me we should face our issues, not run from them.”

She lowers her gaze to the floor,sadness present within. “It’s not that easy. My momlied. She tooksomething from me before I was even born.”

Tears escape and dribble down herface, breaking the upbeat mask she’d been clutching to.

“I’m sorry,” I say in a close whisperand wipe away the tears. “I wish I could make everything better.”

Toya burrows into my arms again andrests her head against my chest, taking deep breaths as if I’m comforting her.

I hope, more than ever, that I am.

23

I knew Kenya would be a bit down aftervisiting her mom in the facility, so I’m glad she agreed to meet in our oldneighborhood at the deli.

“How’s Tracy?” I ask once we collectour orders and sit down.

She shrugs. “Not bad. She didn’tseem nervous with us today, especially my dad.”

“How’shedoing?”

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