Page 3 of Steps

I crinkle my forehead, feeling awkward under hiswatch. Stepping past him into the living room, I get a whiff of his cologne.Wow. He smells freaking good.

Intoxicating.

Snapping out of it, I get comfortable on the largefabric sofa across from Mom and Daniel. They’re sitting on the loveseatgiggling with each other.

Alison comes into the living room carrying a trayof stuffed mushrooms and peppers.

Varen enters at last. He plops down in thearmchair near the fireplace and away from everyone.

I look around the spacious room, admiring thestone accent wall and how beautiful all the contemporary furniture looks.Family photos and art pieces beautify the walls and shelves. Floor-to-ceilingwindows at the side with a sliding door leading to the large backyard and pool.Damn. This place is an interior designer’s dream.

Everyone, except Varen, digs in after Alison setsthe tray on the large ottoman and settles on the other end of the sofa whereI’m sitting.

“Mmm, this is delicious,” Mom praises as she bitesinto a stuffed mushroom. “Did you make this, honey?”

What’s with the honey?

Alison beams. “Yes, I did. I’m glad you like it.”

“It is good,” I compliment, eating a stuffedpepper.

“Thank you,” she says and wipes her hand with anapkin. “So, tell us, Lisa, how did our dad pop the question?”

They chuckle with each other before she answers.“It was really romantic. He brought me out on his boat, saying he wanted todrink wine and enjoy the harbor. Next thing I know, he’s taking out the ring.”Her chocolate eyes sparkle as she shares the details. “I couldn’t believe it.He made me tear up.” Mom gazes at Daniel in this sweet way I haven’t seenbefore. He leans over and kisses her cheek.

Huh. Maybe it is love.

Looking at us, he says, “Of course, she wanted tocelebrate with everyone instead of going to a restaurant.”

Alison smiles. “That’s sweet. I’m really happy foryou both.”

She can say that because she’s met my mom prior.She’s probably spent time with her. I, on the other hand, have no clue aboutthe Kirby family.

“Hmm.” I help myself to a stuffed mushroom. Oddly,my eyes drift across to Varen.

My throat tightens. He’s already watching me.

“Toya,” Daniel draws back my attention, “I hearyou want to be a writer.”

“She always has her head buried in a book,” Momteases me. “Ever since she was little. Toya’s the definition of a bookworm.”

Daniel and Alison chortle softly.

“What kind of writer would you like to be?” Danielasks.

I finish eating what’s in my mouth. “Fiction. Ilike contemporary and paranormal romance.”

Varen scoffs from across the room. He lowers hiseyes to his phone when I glance at him.

“That’s good,” Daniel says, pulling back my gaze.“Your name could be up there with the greats like Stephen King and J.K.Rowling.”

“Or she could study business in college, right?”Mom utters, eyeing me.

“It’s my decision,” I murmur under my breath andhave another roasted pepper.

No one heard.

“I’m at UMD,” Alison fills me in. “One more yearbefore grad school.”

---