Page 210 of When a Soul Cries

“That ain’t what I asked.”

I leaned my head back and stared at the ceiling for a second. “No. I don’t want them leaving my house.”

Sugga chuckled under her breath.

“But it ain’t my choice,” I added, looking back at her. “She needs her independence.”

“Now you making sense.”

“If she wants Eastview, it’s hers.”

Sugga nodded in approval. Then her gaze dropped toward my empty hands.

“Now go buy that girl some flowers.”

I frowned. “Flowers?”

“Yes, Roman. Flowers.”

“I know what flowers are.”

“Apparently not, because you came over here without any.”

I pushed myself out of the chair and grabbed my keys from the table. “What about Halo?”

Sugga hugged her closer. “What about her?”

“You good?”

She slowly raised her eyes to me. “Roman.”

“I’m asking.”

“I raised two boys.”

“Yeah, but—”

“Two Devereaux boys,” she emphasized, pointing one finger at me. “I can handle one sweet little girl for an hour.”

I laughed as I backed toward the door. “Her bottles are in the side pocket.”

“I know.”

“Her snacks—”

“I know.”

“She might—”

Sugga pointed toward the front door.

“Get out my house.”

I held both hands up in surrender.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I should’ve known peace wasn’t going to last.