Page 98 of Risks

I linger in place, watching her get readyfor bed. She removes the shower cap, applies body cream, and hauls the t-shirtover her head. Then she stands at the dresser, brushing her curls into a bun.

Twisting from the mirror, Toya snortsat me. “What’s up? Aren’t you showering?”

“Yeah.” I snap out of it, walk intothe bathroom, and push the door behind me.

I have to get that shit with Kellyout of the way to ask her one of the most important questions I’ll ever asksomeone.

After a quick shower, I turn off thelight in the bathroom and step out, finding Toya in bed reading a book.

She sets it on the nightstand when Iclimb under the covers.

“The time’s moving too fast,” shesays as we face each other. “I could definitely spend a month here.”

“Hm.”

Toya eases closer and kisses me,draping her leg over mine as if about to straddle me. “You’re right. I do enjoyriding.”

My mind drifts to what happened withKelly, disrupting the moment and making me stop her.

“What’s the matter?” Toya breathesout. “Too tired?”

“No, it’s not that.” I push up tothe headboard.

She does the same, touching my arm. “Varen?”

I drag my fingers through my hairand blow a sharp breath. “I have something to tell you.”

She nods slowly. “Okay.”

“That night you brought up…um….” Ilower my head, too guilty to meet her gaze. “Remember I told you I went toColt’s place?”

“Mmhm.” She places her fingers at mychin and brings my eyes back to hers. “What happened?”

“Babe…” I hold her hand, squeezingit as I admit, “Kelly had stopped by. She…kissed me.”

Toya cringes. Disgust falls over herface. “On your mouth?”

I nod.

She pulls her hand away fast as ifzapped by electricity. “You kissed your old fuck buddy?”

“Toya,shekissed me.”

“Right.” She scoffs. “You have somenerve getting mad at me for a stupid peck on the cheek when Kelly full-on kissedyou. There’s history between you.” She wobbles her head. “Is that all thathappened?”

“Well…” My shoulders sink. “She…touchedme.”

Her eyes expand. “Touched you? Whatthe hell. Sounds like you two caught up.”

“Babe, I shoved her off and left.Nothing happened.”

“But something did happen,” shegrumbles, staring across the room at the dresser.

“I promise it meant nothing. Kellycrossed a line, and I stopped it from progressing.” I touch her hand. “Pleasedon’t be upset. Come here.”

“I’m tired,” she grumbles. “I’mgoing to sleep.”

“Toya…”

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