Page 42 of Steps

Varen meanders up to me. I back into my room as heenters. He wraps his arms around my body. “I’m a mess, Toya,” he whispers. “Letme stay with you tonight.”

I tug at his arms. “You can’t. They’ll catch us.”

“They won’t.” Varen tightens his hold on me.“Please. I don’t want to be alone.”

My heart dismisses the rational thoughts in myhead. I reach for the door, locking it.

Varen releases me then. His blue eyes look flaccidand bloodshot. “Thank you.”

I help him out of his shirt. He slides off hispants, pulls down the sheets, and lies on the left side of my bed. I place thebin next to him in case he needs to throw up. Setting his clothes on the chair,I turn off the light and climb into bed beside him, drawing the sheet over us.

Fearful of acting on the feelings rising withinme, I lie with my back to Varen. I can’t help but wonder if he feels the same.Probably not.

As if reading my mind, he whispers, “You’re a goodgirl, Toya. But you’re right. I’m bad for you. I’ll ruin you.”

It hurts to hear that after such a wild firstkiss.

“Varen...”

He stays quiet for a while. I’m convinced he’sfallen asleep until he says softly, “Goodnight.”

“Night,” I utter and close my eyes.

In no time, whimpering and other low sounds of distressstartle me from sleep. I roll over and squint in the dark at Varen. He shiftsabout. The sounds are coming from him.

I move closer and hold him from behind, then kisshis forehead and gently massage it to calm him.

“Shh, it’s okay,” I whisper and hush him.Something my gran did for Mom one time when I was a kid.

Varen relaxes, but I continue holding him. Itfeels relaxing being that close. I rest my head on his pillow and go back tosleep.

9

Soft lips press on mine. A stolen kiss. Within seconds,I hear the door and peek through sleepy eyes. Faint light shines into the room.I look over and find confirmation that Varen has indeed left. His clothes areno longer on the chair by the dresser.

Sighing, I lower my head back on the pillow and shutmy eyes, drifting off again.

Knocking on the door startles me awake in whatfeels like minutes. I groan, “Mom, it’s Saturday. Why can’t you let me sleep?”

“Um, Toya, it’s Dan. I thought maybe we could goout for breakfast?”

I ease up and rub my eyes, then glance at myphone. It’s almost nine. Climbing out of bed, I amble to the door and crack itopen. “Hey. Is my mom joining us?”

He shakes his head. “She has an early appointmentat the salon. Alison went back to school for an event.” He sighs. “Varen’s gone,so looks like it’s just you and me.”

“Oh. Um, could you give me a few minutes?”

He smiles at me. “Sure. I’ll wait upstairs.”

I shut the door after he walks away, going intothe bathroom to shower. Good thing Varen sneaked out of my room at dawn. But wheredid he go so early?

Combing out my twists, I brush my hair into a highpoof and dress in t-shirt and jeans.

Daniel locks up, and we head out in his RangeRover. He drives for a few minutes until reaching the café in town, where heorders coffee and omelet while I get a chai and egg sandwich.

He chuckles. “That’s Varen’s favorite hotbeverage. He’d get it every time.”

It’s one thing we share, along with a kiss.

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