Page 116 of Steps

The guys talk about guy stuff while Kenya and Iactually shop and purchase clothes to show as proof to my mom.

As evening approaches, it’s time to head back.Stephen takes off first when we reach the parking garage. Varen tows me asidefrom Kenya’s car. He kisses me with desperation as if struggling to let me go.

I smile up at his handsome face and touch his lippiercing. “I may not have gotten your firsts the way you got all of mine. But Iam happy I’m the first girl you love.”

He chortles. “Me too, and you know what?”

“What?”

Varen eyes me in a profound way that causes me tofeel like the only one in his world. My heart sprints with anticipation as Iwait to hear what he has to say. But he shakes his head. “I’ll tell you nexttime.”

“Ugh. I’m going to torture myself trying to figureout what it is.”

This amuses him. A devious expression masks hisfeatures. “Hm. I enjoy torturing that mind of yours.”

“Such a bad boy.” I roll my eyes.

He chortles. “Let’s hang out next Saturday. I’llwait for you at the corner of the street around nine. It’s Finn’s birthday.”

That name always places worry in my tummy. “Youwant to go to a party with me?”

“Yeah. It’ll be fun. Promise I won’t smoke ordrink too much.”

I nod, unable to tell him no. “Okay. I’ll try tosneak out. If you end up waiting too long, that’ll mean I won’t be able to.”

He frowns. “K.”

Squeezing his hand, I tilt my head back and kisshim once, then start to walk away. “Love you, Varen.”

“Love you, Toya.” He waves to Kenya. “Bye, Ken.Thanks.”

She waves from the driver’s side. “Yeah. Noproblem. See you.”

I blow Varen one more kiss after getting in thepassenger seat. Kenya chuckles at me, and we depart from the shopping mall.

I hold my shopping bags in front of me as I walkinto the kitchen. Mom is preparing dinner.

“Hi,” I say, being polite.

“Hey. Had fun shopping?” She stirs the veggies andchicken strips. It smells delicious.

“Yeah. Just got a few things for work.” I leanagainst the island.

Mom twists to look at me. “I was going to askKenya to stay for dinner.”

I shrug. “She had to get home. Tracy needs herhelp.”

She frowns. “Tracy is still living in theirapartment?”

“Well, yeah. They’re taking care of her from home.Kenya and her dad think it’s better that way.”

“Kenya’s just a kid. She shouldn’t take on thatkind of pressure.”

“It’s her mom,” I counter.

She lifts her hands in peace. “I was justsaying... not trying to argue.”

“It’s fine.” I slant to walk away.

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