Page 52 of Love Overdose: St. Louis

“Yes.”

“Did you love her?”

“No. We never reached that point.”

“Did you want to?”

“I wanted the opportunity to find out.”

Her hand remained against my chest, but her expression grew thoughtful.

“Do you miss her?”

“No.” I tightened my arm around Frankie. “She left because the relationship wasn’t giving her what she needed. I understood that then, and I understand it now. She has nothing to do with what’s happening between us.”

“But your schedule does.”

“Yes.”

I wouldn’t insult her by pretending otherwise. Frankie rested her cheek against me again.

“I don’t need a man underneath me every minute of the day.”

“That’s unfortunate. I enjoyed being underneath you.”

She slapped my chest, laughing. “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I do.”

“I have a business and a child who depends on me. I understand responsibilities.”

“I don’t want your understanding to become an excuse for me to neglect you.”

Her eyes returned to mine. It was easy to ask a woman to accommodate my life. It was harder to admit that making room for her would require something from me, too.

“I can’t promise I’ll never have to cancel,” I said. “I can promise not to leave you wondering where I am or whether I still want to see you. If something changes, I’ll tell you. If I have to cancel, I’ll make another plan.”

“That matters.”

“It should.”

She studied me for another moment before her mouth softened into a smile.

“So, we’re doing this?”

“We are.”

“You decided that by yourself?”

“No. I decided what I want. You still have the freedom to make the wrong choice.”

Her laugh filled my bedroom. “The wrong choice?”

“Yes.”

“And that would be?”

“Leaving here and telling yourself last night was enough.”