Page 202 of When a Soul Cries

Because now there were two hearts I had to worry about.

Halo's.

And mine.

For weeks, every time this man entered my life, something terrible had been happening.

Tonight wouldn’t be about an eviction.

A motel.

Aunt Trice.

Crying.

Being rescued.

It could just be me.

And him.

Maybe I deserved one night where I wasn't running from something.

I swallowed.

“What time?”

His eyes changed.

That slow smile appeared.

“Seven.”

I shook my head and walked past him before he could see how hard I was smiling.

“Don’t make me regret this.”

His laugh followed me toward the door.

“No promises.”

I rolled my eyes.

But my heart was beating too fast.

And now I knew exactly what that feeling was.

It wasn't fear.

Not completely.

It was excitement.

Attraction.

Hope.

All the dangerous little things I had spent years convincing myself I didn't need.