Page 190 of When a Soul Cries

“Sol.”

I blinked.

Rome was staring at me.

“What?”

“You good?”

I almost gave him my usual answer.

Instead, I walked over and sat on the other end of the couch.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah.”

I rubbed my palms against my leggings.

“Are you okay with us being here?”

His eyebrows pulled together.

“What?”

“Just answer me.”

“I wouldn’t have brought you here if I wasn’t.”

“I don’t mean just staying here.”

My eyes moved to Halo.

His followed.

“She likes you.”

Rome looked back at me.

“I would hope so.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

“She’s getting attached to you.”

That wiped the teasing from his face.

I continued before I lost my nerve.

“And your mama is buying her stuff and calling herself Sugga and talking about sleepovers. Kai comes over acting like he’s known us forever. Zari likes you…” I paused. “Everybody is getting comfortable really fast.”

*Including me.*

That part stayed in my head.

Rome studied me.