Page 88 of Steps

Her brown eyes sparkle. “Really? That’s so nice.Isn’t this your first date? Do you know what you’re going to wear?”

“Yes, Mom. I’m all set with that.” I look atDaniel. “Sorry. I know you wanted to have dinner with everyone.”

Daniel shrugs it off. “Oh, don’t worry about it.Go. Have fun on your date.”

“Thanks.” A wave of relief washes over me as Iturn and walk back to my room to shower and get ready.

I should feel guilty for carrying on like this.

But I’m not.

Somehow, I feel sexier than ever as I slip intoVaren’s favorite black, floral mid-length dress, flats, and no makeup. Mytwist-out still looks good after three days, so I leave my curls down.

Seeing that it’s close to eight o’clock now, Igrab my phone and make my way upstairs. It’s dark in the kitchen and diningarea. Blue light is flickering in the living room. Guess they’ve alreadyfinished dinner and is starting a movie.

Nervously, I sneak by the archway to the frontdoor.

“Toya?” Mom calls out, catching me before I canleave. “Isn’t this guy coming to the door?”

“Uh, no, told him I’d meet him down the street. Ifit doesn’t work out, don’t want him knowing where I live.”

Daniel chimes in, “Still, it’d be nice to see theface of the person taking you out.”

I open the door fast and yell, “Gotta go, bye!”Then hurry outside. I jog across the lawn to the driveway, stop and peer backto make sure they’re not spying, and continue down the sidewalk.

My heart gallops as I walk past the two houses onour street and spot Varen’s car parked at the corner. He starts it at myapproach, and I lean over and kiss him hard the moment I get in. We haven’tkissed since the night of his graduation.

When we break apart, he smiles at me. “Hey, baby.”

“Hey. I’ve missed that.”

“Me too.” He kisses me again. “So, what did youtell them?”

“The truth.”

“What?” he sputters.

I chortle and wave a hand. “I mean, I told themI’m going on a date. Of course, I didn’t say it’s with you.”

He scoffs. “Hope you didn’t say with AugustCaldwell either?”

“Pfft. No.”

His panty-dropping grin reappears. “Just messingwith you.” He pulls off down the road and passes the exit that leads into town.

“Where are we going?” I ask, curious.

“We’re having dinner at this waterfrontrestaurant. Then I figured we could see a movie or spend some time at the riverafter.” He looks at me briefly.

I pull my bottom lip through my teeth. “I’mlooking forward to theafter.”

He responds with a sexy smirk.

In another few minutes, we arrive at therestaurant, and both of us order fish and fries. Between eating, we talk easilylike a regular couple.

“Signed up for those online classes. Should startwhen we get back from Scotland.”

“Cool. What program?” I ask before drinking mywater.

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