Page 261 of When a Soul Cries

Bedtime had been rough since we moved. I’d blamed the new environment at first, but I knew she’d also gotten used to the routine at Rome’s house—especially him reading to her before bed and letting her fall asleep against his chest.

I couldn’t even judge her too hard.

I’d gotten used to him too.

I loved having my own place. I needed it. But I’d gotten used to hearing the garage when he came home, his footsteps downstairs, and the conversations we had after Halo went to sleep.

I still remembered telling him I was definitely taking the Eastview unit.

He hadn’t tried to change my mind. He’d only gone quiet before saying, *I know you need to do this for you. Doesn’t mean I want you to go.*

I hadn’t known what to do with that then.

I still didn’t.

A knock against the front door interrupted my thoughts.

Halo’s head popped up.

“Who is that?”

I adjusted her on my hip and crossed the living room. When I looked through the peephole, my stomach did an irritating little flip.

Rome.

Of course.

I opened the door to find him standing on the porch with two large takeout bags hanging from one hand. He had on a black T-shirt and dark jeans, his fresh haircut and neatly lined beard making him look entirely too put together for somebody showing up at my house while I looked like I’d been wrestling a one-year-old.

His gaze moved over me before amusement touched his eyes.

“Whatever you’re about to say,” I warned, shifting Halo higher on my hip, “keep it to yourself.”

Rome chuckled, lifting the food bags slightly. “Damn. I was just gonna tell you you look beautiful.”

“Liar.”

Before he could answer, Halo recognized his voice.

She twisted so quickly in my arms that I had to tighten my hold around her waist. The fussy expression she’d worn for the last half hour disappeared the second she saw him. Her wet eyes widened, and she reached toward him with both hands.

Rome’s expression softened just as quickly. “There go my girl.”

“Oh, now you’re happy?” I looked at Halo in disbelief as she practically tried to launch herself out of my arms. “You’ve been putting me through hell.”

Rome laughed and shifted the takeout bags into one hand so he could reach for her. I passed her over, and she immediately wrapped both arms around his neck.

He settled her against his chest, one hand supporting her bottom while the other rubbed over her back. “You been giving Mama a hard time?”

Halo grabbed his beard instead of answering.

“Don’t encourage her,” I muttered.

Rome was still smiling down at her when Halo’s little hand moved from his beard to his cheek.

“Dada.”

His hand stopped against her back.