Page 24 of Love Overdose: St. Louis

“Valentino?” Frankie asked.

“My stage name.”

“I’ve seen your grocery-store bonnet routine.”

Dad’s chest lifted. “One of my finest.”

“I laughed the entire time, even though I felt personally attacked.”

“That means I did my job.”

“I suppose it does.”

They embraced, and Dad looked at me over her shoulder with an approving nod. Sade moved closer once he released her.

“You’re pretty,” she told Frankie.

Frankie bent slightly so they were closer to eye level. “Thank you. You’re beautiful.”

“I’m Sade.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Sade.”

“Are you Uncle Elijah’s girlfriend?”

Frankie glanced up at me. “I’m his date.”

“Does that mean you might be his girlfriend later?”

“It means we’re getting to know each other.”

Sade nodded. “I hope you like him.”

“I like him so far.”

Her answer sent a slow pull through my gut.

“I like you too,” Sade said. “Do you know how to play dominoes?”

“I do.”

“Daddy and Uncle Christian have been playing forever.”

“That’s because your father refuses to lose,” Christian said.

Xander gathered his dominoes closer. “I’m being strategic.”

Frankie studied the table. “Who needs a partner?”

“I do,” Sade answered.

“You aren’t playing,” her father said.

“I am now.”

Frankie pulled out the chair beside her. “Come on. We’ll be a team.”

Sade climbed into it, and Xander divided a new set of dominoes between them. Frankie helped her arrange the pieces without exposing them.