Page 94 of Love Overdose: St. Louis

“You are.”

Elijah didn’t hesitate. His gaze settled on me above his cup, steady, driving the desire behind my pulse. Mama looked between us, then adjusted her purse.

“I’m going home.”

She walked to Malik and bent for another kiss.

“Bye, baby.”

Malik smiled.

Mama waited.

His mouth didn’t move.

She straightened with a sigh. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“We’re having dinner with you tomorrow,” I reminded her.

“I know. I’m giving him another opportunity to say goodbye.”

She hugged me, thanked Elijah for the tea, and left without asking Malik a third time.

Progress.

Elijah waited until the door closed. “She’s still trying?”

“Every time she leaves a room.”

“How does Malik respond?”

“Usually like that. Sometimes he ignores her completely.”

Malik made a happy sound.

Elijah looked at him. “You shouldn’t torment your grandmother.”

The innocence on Malik’s face nearly convinced me he had no idea what we were talking about.

Nearly.

I checked the bag attached to his chair one last time. Medication. Water. Change of clothes. Wipes. Snacks. His communication board. The smaller positioning cushion I preferred for longer outings.

Everything we might need for several hours away from home. Elijah lifted the paper bag from the table. “I brought breakfast.”

“We ate.”

“I assumed you had.”

He opened the bag and removed a blueberry muffin. “This is for the drive.”

I accepted it. He had also learned that I could eat a complete breakfast and still want whatever he brought.

“I’ll get my coat.”

By the time I returned, Elijah had moved behind Malik’s chair. He didn’t touch the handles until Malik looked up.

“You ready?”