Page 172 of Steps

When I reach back at the three-story building, Iglimpse Varen’s Audi parked out front.

I quicken to the apartment, heart galloping behindmy ribcage as I open the door.

Varen springs from the couch. He looks troubled asif he thought I’d left him. “Where’d you go?”

“For a walk,” I reply, taking off my jacket. Iforgot my gloves, and now my fingers cramp from the cold. I rub them together.

Coming up to me, Varen takes my hands into his andblows his hot breath on them. I can’t stop the way my body reacts to him. Howeasy it is for him to consume me even while I’m mad.

“How come you’re not at work?” I ask, voice low.

He rubs my fingers. “I took the day.”

“Varen, you—”

“It’s all right,” he stops me. “I never take daysoff, so my manager isn’t too upset about it.”

My fingers are warmer now. I pull them out of hisgrasp and amble to the kitchen to make hot chocolate.

“What happened between Kelly and me,” he explains,“it was just sex. As terrible as that sounds, I didn’t feel anything with her.”

I shake my head and stand at the counter with myback to him. “I don’t want to know.”

“I love you, Toya. Ifeelwith you. I’m notusing you, babe. You’re my everything.”

Putting the mug with the milk in the microwave, Iturn to look at him at last. “Then tell me what happened last night. Why’d youget so upset about the letter?”

Varen heaves a deep sigh. “I can’t talk about ityet. It’s too difficult.”

“Then how about going back to those meetings?” Isuggest. The microwave beeps.

“Don’t have time.” He combs a hand through hisdark strands. “I’ll find a way. Promise.”

I twist and retrieve the mug, adding cocoa to thesteaming milk. Turning to Varen, I set the hot chocolate before him on theisland. “That’s for you. I noticed you’re cold, too.”

His shoulders relax. “Fuck, you’re too good forme. I don’t deserve you.”

“Don’t be silly. You deserve the best.” I smile forthe first time since last night as I wave my hand with his ring. “Besides,you’re stuck with me.”

He snorts. “It’s not an engagement ring, youknow.”

I shrug. “Can’t give a pretty ring like this to ateen girl and think she won’t believe you’re engaged. Far as I’m concerned,we’re married.”

A raspy laugh gusts from his mouth, making memelt. He bites his lip and eyes me in amazement. “You’re one in a million,Toya.”

“So are you, and I’m the lucky girl who gets tohave you and all your layers.” I nod at the hot chocolate. “It’s turning cold.”

Varen braces over the island. I meet him halfwayand receive his gentle and loving kiss.

I keep things simple for my eighteenth birthday,having dinner with the family and Kenya.

Daniel and my mom surprise me with concert ticketsfor Normani’s upcoming spring show in Baltimore. Kenya and I definitelyappreciate those.

Alison gifts me a Kate Spade clutch, and Kenyawarms my heart with a friendship necklace.

“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate all this.”

“No problem,” Daniel chimes, a happy look on hisface as he rests a hand at my mom’s back.

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