Page 53 of Steps

“She dated an interesting variety of guys. A fewlived with us, and some she moved in with. They weren’t always nice.”

His expression turns to anger. “Did any of themtouch you?”

“Uncomfortable touches on my back. But none hadforced themselves on me, thank God.”

His shoulders relax a bit. I keep going. “Therewas one who tried. I was fifteen at the time. I kicked him pretty good and ranaway to my gran’s. She wanted me to stay after that, but my mom wouldn’t letme. She always apologized after, and I have this weird need to keep her happy.So... I stuck it out. Running to Gran whenever my mom found herself a shittyboyfriend.” My voice cracks a tad. “She died last year after my sixteenthbirthday. So, there’s no one to run to anymore, especially with Kenya dealingwith issues of her own.”

Varen appears frustrated, clenching his jaw. “Yourmom, did she know about those assholes?”

I shrug. “She believed me sometimes. The last oneshe didn’t, though. She said I was always ruining her chance at happiness.That’s why I don’t want you to say anything to your dad. As bad as things werewith her, she’s still my mom, and I want to leave her knowing she’s happy.” Iscoff at myself. “Like I said, I have this weird need, ever since I was a kid.”

He nods slowly, realizing something. “That’s why youwant to go so far away. When you leave, you’re never coming back, are you?”

I look down at what’s left of my ice-cream. It hasmelted from the warm and sunny day. “Something like that.”

But lately, I’ve been rethinking those plans. Iwant to stay for him.Withhim. How silly of me.

The ferry horn blares, announcing its approach.

Varen gathers our cups and tosses them into thetrash nearby. We walk to the line with the few people going on the harborcruise, and we wait for others to depart.

Soon after, the man announces that we can boardand begins collecting tickets. We make our way up top, sitting near the edge tolook over at the water.

“Hope it’ll be fun,” I say, smiling.

Varen smirks. “I thought you’ve already donethis.”

“Nope. My first time. Hopefully, I don’t getseasick.”

He veers off into space. “It’s actually my firsttime since my mom passed.”

I look at him as he gazes at the water in thought.My heart thumps as a barrage of emotions cascades over me, and I slip my handinto his. Possibly the bravest thing I’ve done on my own without him initiatingit.

Varen glances at our intertwined fingers andtraces my knuckles with his thumb. Chills run down my spine when our eyes meet.He absorbs me with his mesmerizing shades of blue before pressing a sweet kissto my lips.

“This feels good,” he whispers, warm breathtickling my face.

“It really does,” I admit.

Our connection breaks when they depart from thedock, and a guide comes out to begin the tour.

She keeps the cruise enjoyable with jokes andhistorical facts as we move along Baltimore’s inner harbor. We listenattentively, staring in whichever way she points. Although I find it refreshingto learn about notable sites, I worry Varen might consider it dreary.

But when I look at his face, he appears just asinvolved.

The ferry returns to the dock after an hour on thewater.

“Not bad, right?” I ask Varen as we trail behindthe other passengers.

He beams at me and takes my hand. “Yeah, it was apretty cool second date.”

I chuckle nervously. “Second date?”

“Yep. Last night was our first. We had pizza, thenwent bowling. Sounds like a first date, right?” He winks afterward.

Butterflies cause a ruckus in my tummy. Sneakyguy.

We cross the street to his car in the parking lot.I realize then that we’re still holding hands.

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