Page 103 of Love Overdose: St. Louis

Her concern was not lost on me. But my concern was for the important moment in her life that I had missed.

“He made it through surgery.”

“Thank God.”

“He has a long recovery ahead of him, but tonight went well.”

“I’m glad.”

I leaned against the wall outside the locker room. “How was the celebration?”

“It was nice. Everyone left about an hour ago.”

“I saw the pictures and videos. You look like you had a good time.”

“I did. Malik ate enough frosting to keep him awake until morning.”

A smile pulled at my mouth. “Is he still up?”

“No. He fought hard, but the sugar lost.”

“And you?”

“I’m in the kitchen putting away the last of the food.”

I checked the time. “It’s after midnight.”

“I noticed.”

Fatigue softened her voice. I closed my eyes for a moment. Going home would be sensible. My bed was closer to the hospital, and rounds began at seven. I needed sleep but I wanted Frankie.

“May I come over?”

The question remained between us.

“You’re tired,” she said.

“I am.”

“You have work in the morning.”

“I do.”

Another pause.

“Come over.”

The porch light was on when I pulled into Frankie’s driveway. Her van sat near the house, the lift tucked beneath the closed side door. Fallen leaves had collected around the tires. The neighborhood was dark except for a few lamps glowing behind curtains and the amber light waiting above Frankie’s front door. She opened it before I reached the porch. The red dress was gone. She wore a long gray robe tied at her waist, and her bare feet were visible beneath the hem. Her makeup had been washed away. Exhaustion touched the skin beneath her eyes. She was still the most beautiful person I had seen all day. I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then Frankie wrapped her arms around my waist. I held her against me and lowered my face into her hair. The warmth of her body eased me. Her cheek rested over my heart.

“You smell like the hospital,” she murmured.

“I showered.”

She giggled and I kissed the top of her head. The house had traces of the evening I missed. A cluster of gold balloons floated near the dining-room entrance. Half the cake sat beneath a glass cover on the counter. Flowers filled two vases, and empty wineglasses waited beside the sink.

Frankie released me and took my hand.