Page 59 of Risks

“Hm.” I shake my head and motion tomy dorm. “Well, thanks for inviting me out with your friends. I had fun.”

“We should hang out again,” hesuggests. “Maybe this weekend?”

“I have a boyfriend.”

He snorts. “I know, Latoya. Myfriends will be around, too.”

I narrow my gaze on him. “I’mstarting to think you’re using their company to get me around you.”

My statement prompts a laugh. “Onlyto be friends.”

“Anyway, thanks, but no.” I turn towalk away.

“Hey, Latoya?” he calls out.

I pause and glance back at him. “Yeah?”

“Whatever is affecting your writing,it’ll get better.” He flashes a smile. “And if you ever want to have fun andrest your mind with people who understand what it’s like, let me know.”

Leaving his words hanging in the air,he walks back the way we came. I wonder if Varen would be okay with me havingguy friends.

Yeah, right. He’d be livid.

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“Shit!” Finn barks out, dropping theweights at the thirtieth rep. He arches over and tries to catch his breath.“I’ve been slacking.”

“Damn right,” I mock before chuggingwater. “You used to make it to at least fifty.”

“Yeah yeah.” He waves me off andgrabs his towel. “I’ll get back to working out consistently.”

We cool down for a bit beforeheading from the gym.

“Got your tickets yet?” he asks onthe way to where we parked our cars.

“Yep.” A grin naturally forms. “I’mexcited and nervous.”

He chuckles. “Still can’t believeyou want to do that so young. But hey, I’m happy for you guys.”

“Thanks, man.” I place my gym bag onthe backseat and shut the door. “Now, I just have to build the courage to ask.”

“Hm.”

“Varen, hey!”

We both look in the direction of thefamiliar voice, and I spot Kenya waving from the coffee shop.

“Who. Is. That?” Finn punctuatesdramatically, looking like a dog lusting at a juicy bone as she crosses theparking lot towards us.

“How’s it going?” Kenya greets witha big smile on her face.

“Not bad. How are—”

“Hi,” Finn interrupts, reaching hishand out to her. “Finnley Cooper. You are?” He drinks her in from head to toe.

She snorts and shakes his hand.“Kenya.”

“Toya’s best friend,” I add,smacking him on the arm. “Had you waited, I would have introduced you.”

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