Page 188 of When a Soul Cries

Rome dragged his palm down his beard and walked away.

That was when my laughter faded.

Because I couldn’t tell what that look meant.

And suddenly, all the feelings I had been trying not to examine came rushing forward.

What if his family was getting too attached?

What if Halo was?

What if I was?

What if Rome woke up one morning and realized this wasn't what he wanted?

He hadn't asked for a woman and her baby to become part of his daily routine. He had been trying to help us.

Maybe everybody else was turning his kindness into something bigger than he intended.

Maybe I was too.

That thought stayed with me.

Over the next couple of days, I started noticing everything.

Mostly Halo.

She had taken to Rome in a way I hadn’t expected.

That afternoon, I stood near the entrance to the living room watching her sit between his legs while he tried to work on his laptop.

At least I assumed he was trying.

Every time he started typing, Halo slapped one of the keys.

Rome gently moved her hand.

She slapped another.

“Stop.”

Halo looked up.

Rome looked down.

She smiled.

He stared at her.

“Manipulative.”

I covered my mouth.

His eyes immediately lifted to me.

“I heard you.”

“You weren’t supposed to.”