Page 207 of When a Soul Cries

Halo stared at her for a second before breaking into a smile.

Sugga looked at me with pure satisfaction. “See? She know me.”

I adjusted Halo against my chest and snorted. “She smiles at ceiling fans too.”

Sugga’s eyes narrowed. “Give me my baby before I slap you.”

Laughing, I handed Halo over. Sugga settled her comfortably against her hip and immediately started kissing her cheek while Halo grabbed at the necklace hanging around her neck.

I reached back inside for the diaper bag and slung it over my shoulder.

“You ain’t even gonna speak to your actual child?”

Sugga had already turned toward the house. Without bothering to look back, she lifted one hand.

“Hey, Roman.”

I stood beside the SUV staring after her. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

I shook my head and followed them inside.

By the time I reached the living room, Sugga was already sitting comfortably on the couch with Halo perched on her lap. Halo reached for the gold chain around her neck, and Sugga moved it out of reach.

Halo immediately reached again.

“You persistent, ain’t you?” Sugga laughed, catching her tiny hand and kissing her fingers.

I dropped into the chair across from them, stretching my legs in front of me.

Something about seeing them together got to me.

My mama holding Halo.

Halo already comfortable enough to climb all over her.

The whole thing looked too natural. Too much like something I could get used to.

Apparently, my face gave me away because Sugga’s laughter faded and her eyes narrowed on me.

“What?”

I leaned farther into the chair. “What?”

“That look on your face.”

I rubbed my palm across my beard, buying myself a second. “Ain’t no look on my face.”

“Roman.”

There went that mama tone.

The same one she’d used since I was a kid whenever she already knew I was full of shit.

I exhaled and looked at Halo before bringing my eyes back to Sugga.

“I think I’m falling in love with Sol.”