Page 270 of When a Soul Cries

My eyes lifted to his.

This time, neither of us made a big deal out of it.

But I saw the way his expression changed.

The smile disappeared, replaced by something softer.

He looked down at Halo for a long second, then pressed a kiss into the top of her curls.

When he looked back at me, I remembered what he’d told me at dinner.

*Trust me. I do.*

I believed him.

Rome carried her toward the crib and carefully lowered her onto the mattress. Her face scrunched the second her back touched it, and he immediately rested one hand against her stomach.

“Shh,” he whispered, rubbing gently until her body relaxed again.

I stood beside him, watching Halo settle into the mattress.

When Rome straightened, I whispered, “Show-off.”

His mouth curved. “Natural talent.”

“Boy, please.”

He followed me out of the room, and I left the door cracked behind us.

Downstairs, Rome picked up his keys from the kitchen counter while I checked the lock on the back door.

Before I could reach for the front lock, Rome stopped.

“If she has another bad night, call me.”

I looked up at him. “And what exactly are you gonna do?”

“Come over.”

“At two in the morning?”

“If I need to.”

I shook my head, but there was no irritation behind it.

“You’re gonna spoil her.”

“Too late.”

I unlocked the door and pulled it open.

Rome stepped onto the porch, then turned back toward me.

The teasing disappeared from his expression.

“And Sol?”

“Yeah?”