Page 43 of Steps

A frown twists his features. “He wants nothing todo with me these days.”

“Varen’s having a hard time,” I say while playingwith the utensils.

Daniel pinches his thick brows together. “Has hesaid something to you?”

I swallow hard. “No, uh, I could just tell. Heseems to miss his mom a lot.”

He bobs his head slowly. “They were close. She hada special relationship with both kids, but she and Varen, it’s like they hadtheir own language.”

“When did he start… you know.”

“At fourteen. A year after Faye passed. It beganwith staying out late, then as he got older, he started drinking and smoking,and… other things.”

The server brings our orders. Daniel continuestalking after she walks away. “We had a huge argument. I sent him to rehab.After that, he got even more distant.” He picks up his coffee mug.

“Maybe he wants to talk but doesn’t know how toexpress himself.”

Daniel sighs, then set the mug next to his plate.“V’s a smart kid, but he gave up so much. He barely goes to classes. He doesn’twant to go to college. I don’t know what he wants in life.”

“Ask him,” I say, sad for their tensedrelationship. “You never know, he might tell you.”

A warm smile arches his lips. “Your mom is soright about you. You’re a very mature and thoughtful young lady.”

I straighten in the seat and pick up my chai. “Shetalks to you about me?”

“Of course, all the time.” He chuckles. “She’s soproud of you, Toya. Says you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to her andshe’s glad you’re her daughter.”

His words tug at my heart. I feel like crying. My momhas never said those things to my face. I don’t know if she told him the truthor was just putting on a show.

“Everything all right?” Daniel asks, slightlyfrowning.

I zap out of it. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks fortaking me to breakfast. I really appreciate it.”

“Sure thing. Just want you to feel comfortablewith me.We are going to be a family.”

“Hmm.” I finish eating.

Family?That saddens me somewhat. I likehis son in the wrong way. My stomach flips as I remember my first incrediblekiss. His hands on my skin and between my thighs.

Oh, God. That is naughty behavior.

Looking at Daniel’s smiling face makes me want torun. I feel like a bad girl for doing that with Varen in his house.

We finish breakfast and return home. Mom’s there.She grins at Daniel when he walks in the door, giving him a sweet and shortkiss.

“You look lovely,” he says after they break apart,complimenting her bouncy, defined curls.

“Aw, thank you, my love.”

“Is Varen here?” I ask her.

She furrows as she looks at me. “No, why?”

I shrug. “No reason. Just asking.”

Why the hell do I keep blurting out his name likea lovesick psycho? I’m seriously crushing hard.

“Um, I have a paper to finish.” I go downstairs tomy room, shutting the door behind me.

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