Page 56 of Steps

“No way. Stephen Mathews finally asked you out?”

“Yes!” she screams. I have to move the phone frommy ear.

Laughing, I tell her, “That’s awesome. When did heask?”

“Today. Stephen came into the store, and weflirted a bit.” She giggles. “Want me to find out if any of his friends aresingle? He usually hangs out with cool guys.”

My stomach flutters as Varen pops into my head. Ascomplicated as it is, I don’t want any other boy. Just him.

“Uh, you know me. I don’t have time for boys. Toomuch going on in school.”

Kenya scoffs. “Geez, Toya, you need to have funonce in a while, especially with all the shit you’ve been through.” She sighs.“How’s it going at the house, anyway? How’s that hot stepbrother of yours?”

My vagina throbs as Varen’s tongue inside me playson my mind. “Well,” I gulp and catch my breath, “it’s going good. And stopcalling him that.”

She draws air through her teeth. “He is though.”

A minute after rolling over onto my back, the doorpushes open, and Varen enters.

I straighten instantly. “Listen, Kenya, I’m kind oftired. I’ll see you in school tomorrow, okay?”

“Geez. All right, see you.”

Varen leans in for a quick kiss after I end thecall and get up from the bed. “Hey, uh, I know I said you could talk to me atnight, but I meant later.”

He shakes his head and touches my cheek. “Let’ssneak out.”

“To where?”

“Federal Hill Park, remember?” He tugs at mynightshirt. “Come on, get dressed.”

“K.” I go into the closet and grab a knee-length,floral dress. I glance over my shoulder at Varen. He’s watching me. “Um… aren’tyou going to turn around?”

“No.” He smirks. “I’ve seen most of you, Toya.Don’t be shy.”

Actually, I don’t mind. Ever since the moment atthe river, I’ve felt comfortable in my underwear around him.

The only part of my body left for him to exploreare my breasts. But I’m saving that and my virginity for now.

Varen watches as I take off the nightshirt andslip on the dress.

“You’re very sexy, Toya,” he compliments, steppingcloser. “Don’t hide behind a shield so much.” He kisses my neck.

“Thank you,” I reply, smiling, then finishbrushing up my hair. I grab my shoes after. “Let’s go.”

We take our time sneaking up the stairs and movingthrough the dark house. Varen holds my hand, and I tiptoe behind him on thecold tile until we step into the garage.

“This is the noisy part, but screw it,” he mutterswhen we get into his car.

I put on my shoes in the seat and cross my fingersthey don’t wake up as Varen backs out of the garage and speeds down the street.

Federal Hill Park is well-lit and beautiful atnight. There’s live music in the distance and a lot of people out and about.

We wander along the footpaths, holding hands, andtaking in the spectacular view of inner harbor and downtown.

“I was worried you’d change your mind completelyafter this afternoon,” he says, squeezing my hand. “You wouldn’t even look atme at dinner.”

I sigh. “Didn’t want to give it away. Guess I justgot scared.”

---