Page 27 of Love Overdose: St. Louis

Her thumb moved across mine. I had spent the evening watching her bring more laughter into a family already full of it. Yet this quiet piece of understanding drew me closer than anything else had.

We gathered ourselves to leave shortly before ten. Aunt Bernice packed two containers of food for Frankie.

“Now don’t share these with my nephew; he has his own,” she said.

Frankie laughed. “Thank you for letting me know in case he tried it.”

They laughed together as I smiled, looking on. Aunt Cherry strolled up and placed her hands on her hips.

“You’re invited to come back whenever you like. With or without my nephew, for family dinners, luncheons, or if you need a quiet corner to relax. I’ll make sure you have one.”

Frankie’s eyes widened along with her smile. “Thank you for the invitation. I’ll make sure to take you up on that.”

“I hope you do.”

Sade leaned in and tossed her arms around Frankie’s waist. “Thanks for being my partner!”

“There’s no thanks needed, sweetheart. Anybody who’s not willing to play alongside you is their loss! Believe that.”

Sade giggled as Frankie squeezed her back. Dad followed us outside.

“Start watching old episodes,” he told me. “We need strategy.”

“Call Titan and Jeremiah first.”

“I will.”

He embraced Frankie. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“You too. Thank you for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome anytime.”

When Dad pulled me into a hug, he spoke near my ear.

“I like her.”

“So do I.”

“I can tell.”

He slapped my shoulder before leaving us beneath the awning. Frankie smiled as we crossed the parking lot. “Your family is wonderful.”

“They liked you.”

“I liked them too.” She looked up at me. “Thank you for bringing me.”

“Thank you for coming.”

I opened her door and waited until she sat onto the seat. The drive to her house was quieter, but the silence held no discomfort. Frankie’s hand rested near mine on the center console. I covered it, and her fingers folded around mine. We remained that way until I parked outside her home. The porch light glowed over the front steps. I carried her food to the door while she searched her purse for her keys.

“I had a beautiful time tonight,” she said.

“So did I.”

She found the keys but didn’t reach for the lock. Her gaze lifted to mine. The warmth she had given my family remained, but something deeper moved beneath it now. I set the containers beside the door. Frankie watched me step closer.

My hand settled against her waist. “May I kiss you?”