Page 69 of Steps

If Mom finds out, will she still want to mend ourrelationship?

15

Varen and I spend the next three days going to theriver after school, and late at night together when our parents are asleep.

He’ll climb into bed with me, and we’ll talk, makeout, make love, and then sneak out before sunrise.

As much as I treasure every second, I fear we’repushing our luck, and that one of these mornings he’ll get caught.

It’s even becoming harder for me to keep my eyesoff Varen while around Mom and Daniel. My feelings strengthen with everypassing day. I haven’t told him I love him. But he hasn’t said it either.Perhaps I’m reading too much into things. Maybe it’s not love to Varen, only tome.

We’re having dinner on Friday night, and Danieland Mom are filling us in on their wedding plans.

“We’ll need to look about your passport, Toya,”Mom says before drinking her lemon water. She isn’t having wine like Daniel.

I nod. “I’ll go by the post office on Monday.”

“Great.”

Varen clears his throat before speaking. “We’reseeing a movie tonight.” He starts to get up from the table.

“Yeah.” He never mentioned it, but I stand anyway.

“Cool. Which one?” Daniel sets his wineglass nextto his plate. He looks from me to Varen.

“Deadpool 2,” I announce. “Been wanting tocheck it out.”

Mom chimes in, “Well, have fun.”

“Thanks.”

We carry our plates to the kitchen. Varen flashesme a sneaky grin as we head into the garage.

“So, where are we really going?” I ask after weget in the car.

He turns the key. “On our fifth date.”

Butterflies assemble. My heart flutters.Naturally, a smile reaches my lips.

Our fifth date just happens to be checking out asmall showcase for an indie artist I like. Afterward, we stroll around FederalHill Park.

“Thank you for that. It was a fantastic surprise.I totally forgot she was in town.”

He lightly jerks my hand as he teases, “Some fanyou are.”

I roll my eyes. “Well, I have a lot on my mind.”

“Yeah, I can tell.” He’s quiet for a moment.“Toya, do you want me to stop sneaking into your room?”

“No, but at the same time, I’m scared they’llcatch you. Alison isn’t coming home this weekend, but when she does, she mightbe the one to figure this out.”

Varen stops us and tows me over to the seawall. Heleans against the stone with me between his legs, arms around my waist. “I knowit’s risky, but it’s pretty much the only time we get to really be together.”

Sighing, I lower my eyes from his and kick at thegravel.

“What else is going on?” he asks.

I look up at him. “Um, I’ve been reconsideringCalifornia and colleges far away.”

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