Page 220 of When a Soul Cries

Sol slowly nodded.

I rubbed my thumb along the side of my glass before finally saying what I’d been holding all night.

“So I made sure there’s a unit available for you at Eastview.”

Sol froze.

Her fingers stopped moving around her glass.

“What?” she asked, her brows pulling together as if she wasn’t sure she’d heard me correctly.

“One of the apartments,” I explained, watching disbelief slowly spread across her face. “I had them hold it.”

“For me?”

I nodded. “For you and Halo.”

Her lips parted, but nothing came out at first.

Sol glanced down at the table, then back at me, her fingers tightening around the napkin in her lap. I could practically see the questions piling up behind her eyes.

“Rome…” she finally whispered, shaking her head.

I knew that look.

Those walls were already going up.

Her shoulders stiffened, and her spine straightened like she was preparing herself to refuse before she even knew all the details.

“Before you start thinking you owe me something, you don’t.”

Her eyes searched mine.

“Rome, you got me an apartment.”

“I made sure one was available,” I corrected gently. “Whether you take it is your decision.”

She leaned back slightly, still looking overwhelmed.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything tonight.” I kept my voice even, refusing to push her. “You told me what you want next. I’m letting you know you have an option.”

Her gaze dropped toward her lap.

“What if I can’t afford it yet?”

“We’ll figure out what you qualify for through Eastview like anybody else.”

Her eyes came back to mine.

“I’m not putting you in a situation where you need me to keep the lights on.”

Something shifted in her expression.

I leaned forward slightly.

“The place would be yours, Sol. Not mine that I let you stay in.”