Page 17 of Love Overdose: St. Louis

“Should I be concerned?”

“You should always be concerned when a Black woman starts praying because of you.”

His soft laugh slid over me again.

“I’d like to pick you up, if that’s okay with you,” he said.

“That depends.”

“On?”

“What time do you plan to arrive?”

“Six fifteen.”

“Six fifteen works,” I said.

“Send me your address.”

“I will.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you, beautiful.”

My smile softened before I could stop it. “I’m looking forward to seeing you, too, handsome.”

“Handsome, huh?”

“Oh boy, you know you fine.”

Laughter spilled from his side of the line. “I do now. Thanks to you, Frankie.”

I blushed and shivered, my body going hot and pussy starting to throb.

“I’ll let you get back to your day,” he said. “See you Friday.”

“Tootles.”

Neither of us hung up. The silence stretched until I laughed. “One of us has to end the call.”

“I performed brain surgery this morning. I’ve made enough difficult decisions for one day.”

“You’re putting this on me?”

“I trust you.”

I tried to suppress my blush as if he could see me, then shook my head and pressed the red button.

The call disappeared, leaving my reflection staring back at me from the darkened screen. My cheeks hurt from smiling.

“Damn.”

Malik answered from the kitchen with a happy squeal. I looked over at him. Jelly stained the corner of his mouth, cracker crumbs covered his shirt, and one sandwich square laid upside down on the floor.

“You’re lucky you’re cute.”

He clapped. I opened my messages and sent Elijah my address, then pulled up my mother’s contact. Amelia had taken her trip on Saturday. Asking her to keep Malik again so soon made guilt seep in, but Friday was days away. She adored having him, and I wouldn’t be gone overnight.

Not that Elijah had asked, or that I was thinking about it. I stared at my mother’s name, then glanced toward Malik. Malik wasn’t a secret, and I had no intention of treating him like one. But he was mine to protect. A man didn’t earn access to my child because he had a beautiful smile, a medical degree, and a voice that made my thighs tighten. Elijah and I barely knew each other.