Page 226 of When a Soul Cries

“Not so you can depend on me,” I said. “So you don’t have to.”

That stopped her.

I nodded toward the Mercedes.

“You can get yourself to work. Take Halo where she needs to go. See Zari. Buy groceries. Do whatever the hell you want without waiting on somebody else to take you.”

I offered the keys again.

“That’s what this is about.”

Sol stared at the key fob sitting in my palm.

“This is too much.”

“Maybe.”

“At least let me pay you back.”

“No.”

Her head snapped up. “Rome.”

“No.”

Her lips pressed together as irritation flashed across her face.

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“You get on my nerves.”

A smile tugged at my mouth. “I know.”

For several seconds, she didn’t move.

Then, slowly, she reached forward and took the keys.

Her fingers closed around the key fob as she stared down at it resting in her palm.

Then she looked at the Mercedes again.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

My smile disappeared.

“Don’t do that.”

She let out a shaky laugh and quickly wiped beneath one eye.

“I’m trying not to.”

I frowned at the car. “You hate everything I buy you this much?”

Sol smacked my arm again.