Page 76 of Steps

“Mine, too,” I add. “How do you feel, Mom?”

She turns to face us and wipes her cheeks. “Like mydream is coming true.” She squeals in excitement. “This is the one! I’msaying yes to this dress!”

We chuckle along with her.

“It fits perfectly,” the associate says.

Mom bobs, beyond elated. “I can’t wait for Dan tosee me.”

“I’m sure you’ll make my dad cry,” Alison says,standing. She moseys up to my mom and kisses her on the cheek.

Mom embraces me for a moment then pulls away andtwirls some more.

Looking at the associate after, she says, “Nowlet’s find dresses for the girls. Wine tone.” She glances from Alison to me.“You two can decide whichever style you want.”

“Awesome. Thank you.” Alison gets right to it, andI look around with her when my mom heads into the dressing room to take off thegown.

We spend most of Saturday afternoon at the bridalshop. By the time Alison and I find our dresses, and the associate gets ourmeasurements to adjust them, I’m pretty beat.

It’s a great time, though. We share laughs over alate lunch before heading back to the house.

Varen’s car isn’t on the driveway. Daniel walksout of the living room when we enter the front door.

“Looks like you ladies had fun,” he says beforegreeting Mom with a quick kiss on the lips.

“We did,” she tells him, smiling sneakily. “Ifound the perfect dress.”

Alison chirps, “Yeah, Dad, you’re going to bespeechless when you see it.”

He chuckles and stares at my mom with adoration.“I cannot wait.” Looking back at Alison, he asks, “Staying for dinner,sweetie?”

She nods. “Sure. Maybe a movie after? This day hasbeen so relaxing. My brain needed it.”

“I can imagine, with exams fast approaching,” hesays, then gives her a supportive pat on the arm.

I remain quiet watching them. This is the family Inever had growing up. It makes me sad, knowing it will be over once Varen and Itell them about us. They’ll probably never stand by our relationship, and Idon’t want to give him up. I love him.

Ilovehim.

Daniel phones Varen and asks him to come home fordinner. I wonder if he revisited his mom’s grave today.

Varen arrives when we’re close to finishing. Hesneaks a sexy smile my way. No one notices the intimate stares between us orthe way he lightly brushes my hand while we’re setting the table.

By the end of summer, it will all be out in theopen. We’ll be able to kiss and touch each other freely.

In the middle of eating, Daniel reminds Varen todry-clean his pantsuit for his high school graduation next Sunday.

“I’m so thrilled you changed your mind aboutparticipating in the ceremony,” he says, reaching over to give Varen a jerk ofthe shoulder.

Varen scoffs. “It’s not that big a deal, Dad.”

“It is.” Daniel slices his baked chicken. “Anyway,what were you up to today?”

I squint at Varen sitting across from me, curiousto know as well.

He exhales deeply and sets down his fork. “Um, Idecided to check out a grief meeting.”

The table goes quiet at this news, everyoneglancing at him in surprise.

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