Page 290 of When a Soul Cries

My thumb kept moving over her skin while I watched her face.

“I was thinking about marrying you before we ever got to Dahlonega.”

Her lips parted. “You what?”

“I told you. I’m done pretending I don’t know what I want.”

I brought her hand against my chest.

“I want you. I want Halo. I want the whole thing.”

Her voice softened. “Rome…”

“I don’t have a ring because I didn’t come up here planning to ask you tonight. And I’m not expecting you to give me an answer tonight.”

Her eyes filled.

“But I’m not taking it back either.”

I kissed her knuckles.

“Be my wife.”

A tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

I wiped it away.

“Think about it.”

She stared at me for a long time before slowly shaking her head.

“You really are crazy.”

“And you still ain’t said no.”

Her eyes narrowed, but there was a tiny smile trying to break through.

“Don’t push it.”

I grinned. “Aight.”

---

Morning light poured through the windows when I found Sol standing in the kitchen with a coffee mug between both hands.

She’d thrown on one of my T-shirts sometime during the night, and the sight of her barefoot in that kitchen did absolutely nothing to help the thoughts I’d been having since yesterday.

Her curls were wild from sleep, falling around her face and shoulders.

She looked comfortable.

At home.

That image hit me harder than I expected.

I leaned against the island and watched her take a sip.

“So you still ain’t gave me an answer.”