Page 63 of Risks

“Thank you.” The grin remains on myface as I get off the phone, wavering when I glance at Mom’s package.

Drawing a deep breath, I rip thetape and open the box. There’s a lovely purple hair wrap, perfume, body cream,and a gift card from Daniel worth a thousand dollars. Man, he’s generous.

The phone rings as I’m about to callhim. Every part of my body ignites when I see Varen’s name.

“Happy birthday, baby.”

“Thank you.” I can’t help butgiggle.

“So you’re probably wonderingwhere’s your gift, right?”

“Well, you know you don’t have to,but I did get packages from everyone else.”

“Be ready to leave in thirtyminutes.”

A gasp slips out, and my eyes expand.“Varen, you said you wouldn’t—”

“A car will be at the gates,” heexplains. “I’ll call again in a bit.”

He hangs up before I ask anyquestions.

Excited, I scurry from the bed andrush into the shower. Afterward, I haul on jeans, a nice blouse, and low-topsneakers, leaving my curls in a bun after applying makeup.

Anticipation holds me captive as Ihead for the campus gates, spotting a black car and a gentleman waiting at thebackdoor.

“Ms. Latoya Anderson?” he questions.

“Yes,” I mutter with a scowl on myface. “Who are you?”

“I’m Grayson. Your driver.” He opensthe door for me, but I’m hesitant to get in, considering I have no idea whothis man is.

My phone starts to ring. I slide itfrom my pocket, seeing that Varen is calling again like he said.

His face pops up on the screen whenI answer.

“Babe, that’s your driver for thenext few hours. Get in the car. It’s okay. Trust me.”

His assurance relaxes me, and I hopinto the back, spotting a bouquet of roses on the seat.

“For you,” Varen says.

I smile while smelling the roses.“Thank you. These are nice.”

“You’re welcome.”

Grayson shuts the door for me andhurries behind the wheel, taking off right away.

“So, what do you have planned?” Iask Varen, settling against the seat.

A sly expression forms on his face.“Since I can’t spend the day with you, I’ll treat you in a different way.”

“So thoughtful.”

The driver slows down soon after. Lookingout the window, I realize we’ve stopped at a café.

“Go in and tell them your name,”Varen instructs. “I ordered a breakfast special.”

I get out of the car when Graysonopens the door for me. He hangs back while I enter the café.

---