Page 209 of When a Soul Cries

“You thought about having more babies with her too, huh?”

I slowly looked at her.

Her mouth dropped open.

“Oh, my God.”

“Mama.”

“You have!”

I couldn’t stop the smile this time.

Sugga slapped one hand against her thigh. “Roman, you are gone.”

“I know.”

Her laughter faded after a moment, and she shifted Halo higher against her chest.

“Your feelings ain’t the issue,” she said, her voice gentler now. “Timing is.”

I looked at her.

“That girl been through hell. She lost damn near everything. She’s only been staying with you a week. You can know what you want without expecting her to know what she wants yet.”

“I know.”

“And don’t you go dumping marriage, babies, last names, and forever on that girl tonight.”

A quiet laugh left me. “I’m not.”

“Good.”

“I just want her to know I’m interested,” I explained. “I want to take her out. Get to know her. Pursue her without making her feel like she owes me something.”

Sugga nodded slowly. “That’s enough.”

“I’m telling her about Eastview tonight too.”

Her brows rose again. “You got her an apartment?”

“I held a unit.”

“Does she know?”

“Not yet.”

Sugga tilted her head, studying me with that look that always meant she was about to get in my business.

“You want her to take it?”

My hesitation answered before I could.

A knowing smile spread across her face.

“Exactly.”

“I know she needs it.”