Page 197 of When a Soul Cries

“I did.”

Four words.

That was all.

But they sat heavily in my chest.

Rome started installing it while I stood there holding Halo.

And watching him crouched beside the backseat, tugging the straps to make sure everything was secure, I felt that same fear creeping back in.

Because he was making it too easy to picture him here.

Not just today.

Here.

In our lives.

And that was when I finally stopped lying to myself.

I wasn't only scared because Halo was getting attached to him.

I was scared because I was too.

Every thoughtful thing he did pulled me a little closer.

Every conversation made me want another one.

Every time he looked at me too long, my stomach did something I hadn't felt in years.

I was developing feelings for Roman Devereaux.

Real ones.

And I had no idea what to do with them.

Once we were on the road, I watched the city move past my window.

After a while, another thought hit me.

“My apartment.”

Rome glanced over.

“What about it?”

“There were things in there I wish I could’ve gotten.”

He didn’t say anything.

“My birth certificate. Halo’s. Pictures of my parents.” I swallowed. “Some of the only pictures I have left.”

“I got it.”

I turned toward him.

“What?”