Page 17 of Steps

“What do you want?” I croak out, pretending as ifI wasn’t just dreaming about him.

He sucks his teeth. “I’m your ride to school. Getup and get ready.”

I moan and fumble for my phone on the nightstand.“Oh, come on. It’s six. I get up at six-thirty the latest.”

“Uh, yeah, when you lived ten minutes away fromyour high school.”

Right.I forgot that Mom moved usinto her fiancé’s house, which means I’m thirty minutes further.

Varen lingers on my face, smirks, and says, “Sorryto wake you from your sweet dream.” He walks out of my room after.Oh, God.Was he watching me sleep? Did I say his name?

No. he’s just messing with me.

Still groggy, I throw aside the sheet and sit upin bed. Why do I have a headache from the little that I drank? Yikes. I can’thandle any alcohol.

After showering, I apply a body cream, giving mybrown skin a subtle shine, and brush my curls into a high poof again.

Varen and Daniel are sitting in the kitchen nookwhen I enter. Surprisingly, my mom is at the stove, making pancakes and eggs.

Oh shit!

“Morning…” My voice falls as I glance at her. Shehasn’t made me breakfast since I was a kid.

“Hey.” Peering over her shoulder, she gives me anawkward look then turns to flip the pancakes.

What a phony.

“Morning, Toya,” Daniel says and eyes his son.

Varen just keeps eating without looking up. He’swearing his uniform now, a white shirt with a loose burgundy striped tie andgray pants. Lip piercing still intact. He’s cute, even when he’s trying not tobe.

“Um, I’ll just have frosted flakes,” I tell mymom, going to the cupboard for a bowl.

“Don’t be rude,” she scolds under her breath.“Grab a plate.” She places a pancake and scrambled eggs on it.

I join the guys at the table. Mom comes overshortly with her coffee. She sets a glass of orange juice next to my plate.

“Thanks,” I mutter, way beyond mystified at thispoint. “How come you haven’t left for work? Won’t you be late?”

“Actually,” Daniel speaks up. “Your mom and I havediscussed it.”

She smiles at me. “I’ve decided to quit my job.”

“Oh. So you’re just going to work at the lounge onweekends?”

“No. Resigned from there, too.”

Daniel smiles in his support.

My mom is a whole new person. She always saidshe’d keep working even if she ever got married.

“Good for you,” is all I can say and eat mybreakfast. Honestly, I don’t care. If she’s going to keep up this charade, Imight as well enjoy the show.

Soon after, Varen finishes and carries his plateto the sink. “Let’s go, Toya.” He grabs his backpack by the garage door andsteps inside.

I take my bag off the chair and wave at them.“Bye.”

Daniel waves in return. “Have a nice day, Toya.”

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