Page 138 of Steps

“Cool. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Well,” August chimes in, “while I enjoy listeningto you two go on and on about writing, how about we talk about something else.Like going to the concert in Federal Hill Park later?”

My stomach plunges. A familiar ache creeps insideas I remember walking through that park with Varen.

Rose perks up with excitement. “Ooh, yes. Almostforgot about that.” She implores me with her kind gaze. “You’re going, right?”

I chip at my nails. “Uh, actually, I have to helpout my mom. She’s not doing so well.”

The smile August had wavers. “It’s okay. Maybenext weekend.”

“Yeah,” Rose adds. “They’re doing it for theentire month of September.”

“Cool.”

As we finish and I’m getting up, my braceletcatches on the zip of my clutch and breaks. My heart falls right along with itas it crumples to the floor.

“Ugh…” I whimper like a child.Is this a sign?

August lowers quickly and picks it up. His eyesfill with sympathy as he regards me.

“Oh-oh. Such a pretty bracelet too,” Rose mutters.

“I’ll fix it for you,” August offers.

Hope fills me. “Really? Think you can?”

He smiles. “Sure.” Then he slips it inside hisjeans pocket.It sucks being separated from it. “I’ll call you when Ido.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

We continue to the exit, and Rose and I exchange numbersbefore she heads back to campus. August drives me to the house.

“Thanks again for today, and for my bracelet,” Itell him. “I really appreciate it. Rose is a cool girl.”

August drums on his steering wheel. “She is. We’vebeen friends since freshman year.”

“Just friends?” I tease, squinting at him.

He chortles. “We’re not into each other like that.Besides, Rose has never shown interest in being more.”

I shrug. “Maybe she’s afraid you won’t reciprocateand end up ruining your friendship.”

August shakes his head. “She’s dated other guys.As I’ve said, she’s not into me like that. Plus…” He looks at his hands on thesteering wheel.

“What?” I press, curious.

Setting his eyes on me again, he frowns a bit. “Ikind of like someone else.”

I sigh and peer down at my lap. “August…”

“I know,” he hurries to say. “And I’m totally notexpecting anything after today. I meant what I said, Latoya, I’m just being afriend.”

“Toya,” I mutter, glancing up at him.

He smirks. “Everyone calls you that. I likeLatoya.”

That brings a smile to my face, not the half orforced one, but a natural curl of the lips. “Okay.”

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