Page 100 of Steps

I step forward. “Alison, please listen—”

“Don’t!” She screws up her face. “You two aredisgusting.” Then she hurries off.

“Shit.” We hasten to catch up to her. Alison stallsnear the reception, hesitant to go further as she regards everyone’s laughingfaces.

Varen walks up to his sister. “Ali, please. Youcan tell them after. But not right now.”

She peers behind at us, still repulsed. But shedoesn’t utter a word, only huffs, and treads over to her grandparents’ table.They’re caught up in a conversation with friends and don’t even notice she’supset.

Varen swivels to me and holds my hand. “There’s noturning back now.”

I gaze across to my mom. She’s laughing so muchwith Daniel. They both look beyond happy as they dance together.

He squeezes my hand. “Do you want to be with me,Toya?”

“Yes,” I answer, looking at him. “I really do.”

“Then we have to fight for it.” He lifts my handto his lips, softly kissing my knuckles. The gesture calms me somewhat andgives me the strength to face what is surely coming.

August keeps his distance for the remainder of thenight. Varen and I sit at the same table, waiting.

Once the celebration winds down and the guestshave all left, Alison slowly makes her way to our parents sitting on a bench asthe catering company cleans up. They stop talking and look at her.

“What is it, honey?” Daniel asks Alison, taking inher appearance.

She glances back at us. My head and my heartpound. Anxiety rushes me. She’s going to do it.

But as Alison turns to them, she simply shakes herhead. “Nothing, just want to congratulate you again.” She lowers to hug herdad, then my mom.

“Aw, honey.” Mom and Daniel pass cute looksbetween each other.

I spin to Varen, surprised. He shrugs.

Alison walks away from them and meanders over toour table.

She holds a stern expression. “I won’t ruin thistime for them. They’re leaving for Paris tomorrow. But if you promise you’llend this, I won’t say anything when we return to Baltimore.”

Varen clutches my hand on my lap. He looks at meas he says, “No.” Looking back at his sister, he adds, “We won’t end it.”

Her eyes flutter, clearly baffled. She glares atme. “Toya?”

“I can’t, Alison,” I mutter, tightening my grip onVaren’s hand.

She hisses, “Fine.” Then stomps off to the patiodoors.

Marie talks with our parents one more time beforeleaving. Daniel and my mom slow dance to no music at all. Varen motions for usto go inside and give them privacy.

We make sure to let go of each other’s hand as wewalk from the lawn into the house. Grandpa Kirby and Grandma Kirby are sittingon the loveseat in the entertainment room looking through their wedding album.The day must have stirred up memories for them.

I smile at the old couple, admiring their love forone another. Varen touches my arm and nods upstairs. We leave them be and goup.

He lingers with me outside my door. “Are you allright?”

Lightly touching his hand, I shrug and tell himsoftly, “For now.”

Varen sighs. “At least we have another week toenjoy Edinburg.”

“Yeah.” I nod and manage a smile.

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