Page 74 of Steps

I slant to walk away. August reaches for my arm.“It’s weird, Latoya. He’s your stepbrother. I’m sure your parents won’t agreeto it, especially with you two living in the same house. Surely you know this.”

Easing my arm away, I square up and speakconfidently. “Look, August, I appreciate that you didn’t say anything. Butplease don’t tell me what Varen and I have is weird simply because you don’tunderstand.”

He clenches his jaw and sticks his hands in hispocket. “Sorry. You’re right, I don’t understand it.”

“Look, I have to go.”

I pivot before he says anything else and continueto the van. We return to my high school.

Varen shows up ten minutes after. The instant Iget in the car, he asks, “How was it? Think you’ll apply there?”

“Um, it was cool. I’ll consider it. I want tocheck out UMD, too.”

He drives out of the lot and turns onto the mainroad.

“So, what did you do today?” I ask, staring athim.

Varen waits a few seconds before he answers. “Wentto see someone.”

My stomach clenches. “It wasn’t Finn or Pete, wasit?”

“No.” He looks at me briefly, then set his eyesback on the road. “I told you I wouldn’t. Don’t you trust me?”

“I do, but I also know that old habits die hard.”

A harsh breath surges from his lips. “Actually, Ivisited my mom’s grave.”

“Oh.” I reach over and touch his arm. “Are youokay?”

He shrugs. “Yeah. It’s been a while since I went.It makes it real. Going there forces me to accept it.”

I rub his arm, offering support. “That’s a goodstep.”

A half-smile appears. “It’s thanks to you. You’rereally messing with my life for the better.”

“Pfft.” I squeeze his hand. “I feel the same wayabout you.”

17

“Do you have an idea of what you’re looking for?”a jovial associate asks my mom.

Alison meets us shortly at the bridal shop. We’rescouring a vast collection of white dresses for Mom and Daniel’s big day.

Mom twists her mouth in contemplation. “Somethingflowy. Like a mermaid. Not too ballgown-ish. It’s summer, so I don’t wantsleeves or too many layers.”

“Understood,” the associate says, nude lipscurving. She picks out a few gowns and leads my mom into the dressing room,pulling the curtain.

Alison and I get comfy on velvet chairs, waitingto see the first choice.

“So, how’s everything?” she asks, crossing herlegs. She glances at me with a friendly expression on her flawless petite face,blonde hair in a tight ponytail.

I shrug. “Good. How about you?”

“So-so. Finals are next week, so I’m totallystressed.”

“I bet. Good luck with your exams.”

An appreciative gleam flickers in her gray eyes.“Thank you. I’m sure your end of term exams are around the corner.”

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