Page 19 of Love Overdose: St. Louis

I giggled and ended the call.

Friday was handled.

Malik would be with someone I trusted. Elijah would arrive at six fifteen. I would have dinner with the Valentine family, and the next thing to figure out was what I was wearing.

Four days shouldn’t have felt far away. But it did.

I rose from the sofa and returned to the kitchen. Malik lifted both arms when I approached, and I pulled him against me, crumbs, jelly, and all. His cheek pressed against mine, and his arms wrapped around my neck as his small but long body relaxed into my hold.

“You’re going to Grandma’s Friday,” I murmured.

He hummed against my neck.

“And your mama is going on a date with a brain surgeon.”

Malik drew back and stared at me.

“I know. Sounds fancy, don’t it?”

He slapped one sticky palm against my cheek. I closed my eyes.

“Your support means everything to me.”

His laughter filled the kitchen.

I held him closer, but my thoughts drifted toward Friday. That new, unfamiliar rush of excitement settled low in my stomach and refused to leave.

4

elijah

6:15 P.M.

Friday

I pressed Frankie’s doorbell at exactly six fifteen.

Movement passed behind the narrow glass pane before the lock turned. When the door opened, every thought I had about getting to Soulful on time disappeared.

Frankie wore a dark green dress that hugged her breasts, waist, and hips before stopping several inches above her knees. One shoulder was bare, her pixie cut had been freshly waved, and gold hoops brushed the sides of her neck. The heels on her feet showed off toned legs, making it clear she took her fitness seriously.

She looked soft, fit, and sexy as hell.

Her lips curved beneath my stare. “Are you going to say something?”

“You look gorgeous, Ms. Mellows.”

“Just Frankie will do. And, thank you.” She stepped onto the porch and closed the door behind her. Her perfume drifted between us, warm vanilla, citron, with jasmine beneath it. “You look good too, Dr. Valentine.”

“Good?”

“Very good.”

“That’s better.”

She laughed as I placed my hand against the small of her back and guided her toward my car.

“I noticed you like putting your hand there,” she said.