Page 2 of Steps

I’m speechless when we slow down outside the largebrick house in Guilford almost an hour later. It’s one of the more prominentneighborhoods in Baltimore. Every home is surrounded by trees, and the streetis rather quaint and quiet. The area screams ‘bitch you can’t afford this’.

My heart gallops as we file out of her car andstroll to the dark wood front door. Mom rings the bell. I fidget with my dress,feeling out of place.

The man who answers is tall, handsome, has darkbrown hair and warm gray eyes, appears to be in good shape, and is white. Mom’sdated just one other white guy before. He had a fetish for black women.

“Well, hello.” A smile stretches his thin lips andreaches his eyes. He motions for us to enter, wraps his arms around Mom, andkisses her gently.

I clear my throat and wave when he looks at me.“Hi.”

“Oh, right.” Mom chuckles and composes herself.“I’m sorry, Daniel, this is my daughter, Latoya.” Her voice is suddenly fancierthan usual. I want to laugh. “Latoya, this is Daniel Kirby.”

“Toya,” I tell him, sticking out my hand.

“Nice to meet you, Toya.” He shakes it whilewearing a genuine smile. “Daughter?” He chortles. “You two look more likesisters.”

“Hmm.”

Two people step out of what appears to be theliving room. Daniel introduces the gorgeous and petite blonde.

“Toya, this is my daughter, Alison.”

“Hey, Toya.” She waves to me then hugs my mom.

“Hi,” I reply nicely.

Alison has gray eyes like her dad and long wavyhair that dangles over her shoulders. She looks graceful, so poise in her blueshort-sleeve dress and black heels.

When she moves aside, I feel a slight tingle in mymiddle as the impeccably attractive guy comes into view.

He’s the epitome of intriguing. Intense eyes thatshouldn’t merely be called blue, and a piercing at the left side of his bottomlip.

Oh, my…

“And this is Varen,” Daniel finishes, sounding atad worried as if he fears his son will embarrass him. “Varen, this is Lisa’sdaughter, Latoya.”

“Hey,” I mutter shyly, almost breathless by hishypnotic presence. “It’s Toya.”

Varen keeps his hands in his pockets and remainsleaning against the archway. Chills run down my spine as he glides over my faceand says softly, “Hi, Toya.”

Mom wrings her hands nervously. “Hello again,Varen.”

“Lisa.” He flicks to her briefly before settinghis focus back on me.

“Well…” Daniel clears his throat. “It’s so good tofinally meet you.”

I look at him and smile. “Likewise.”

“Um, appetizers?” Alison offers, showing off herpearly whites.

“Sounds good, honey,” Mom replies.

Honey?Not once has she ever called methat.

Alison sashays from the entrance, walking intowhat appears to be a chef’s dream kitchen. Daniel drapes his arm around mymom’s waist, and they enter the living room first.

Varen doesn’t move. He trails his gaze down mylegs then carries it back to my face and smirks.

Jesus, he’s hot.

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