Page 89 of Steps

“Architecture. It’s definitely something I’m interestedin.” There’s so much light in his eyes. I can tell he really wants this.

I feel so happy for him. “That’s great. Good foryou.”

He dips his head, seemingly modest. “What aboutyou? Have you thought about what you want to do this summer?”

“Yeah. I’m definitely going to get a job. Savetowards college. Maybe I can keep working part-time during senior year, too.”

Varen bobs while I’m talking. He always listensattentively, making me feel like my voice matters. It’s refreshing to get thatfrom him.

“What are you thinking about?” he mutters,reaching across the table to grasp my hand.

I turn my head. “I’m just happy you’re in mylife.”

A smile stretches his lips. “Glad you feel thatway, because I’m pretty happy, too.”

We linger on each other for a bit before goingback to our food and talking.

When the waitress brings over the check later, Ioffer to split the bill.

Varen refutes, “Hell no. I got it.”

“I really don’t mind. Neither of us is working, andyou always pay when we go anywhere.”

“It’s fine, Toya. Ali and I have a savingsaccount. Dad set it up for us and puts money in at the end of every month. Wealso have money from Mom…”

“Oh.”

“Come on,” he says, standing.

He winds his arm around my waist as we stroll backto the car. Reaching the passenger side, I twist and tell him, “Not reallyfeeling for a movie.”

“Okay. Is there anything you want to do instead?”

I give his arm a longing squeeze. “Let’s just goto the river.”

Varen takes two blankets and a battery-operatedlantern from his backseat.

I lift my brows in awe. “Well, aren’t youromantic.”

“I try.” He motions for us to start walking, andwe make our way through the shadowy trees until reaching the water. The area ispeaceful, with only the chirping of crickets.

Putting down the lantern, Varen spreads one of theblankets in the grass for us to sit and sets the other aside in case it getscold out.

I snuggle up to his chest as he enfolds me in hisarms. “I like it here,” I mutter, listening to his heartbeat.

“Hm. This is our special place, huh.”

Silence engulfs us. I look up at his handsomeface, visible in the light of the lantern.

Varen smiles at me. “What?”

“Nothing,” I whisper, afraid to say the words. IfI tell him I love him, will it be too much? Will it scare him away?

Tracing my jaw with his thumb, Varen draws a deepbreath before saying, “You’re the first girl to get my heart, Toya. All of it.”Does that mean he loves me?He hovers near my mouth. “Do I have all ofyours?”

“Yes,” trickles from my lips before he sets mybody alight with a zealous kiss.

Varen moans in heat while trailing his hands overme with urgency. He hauls my dress above my head and tosses it aside. I yank athis shirt until he gets out of it and unzips his pants. He slides it down andflattens me on the blanket.

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