Page 12 of Rules Of Engagement: St. Louis (In The Heart of A Valentine #17)

Chapter

Seven

NAOMI

The bell above the door chimed as I stepped into Mel’s Diner.

It was a windy September day, but inside the diner, the atmosphere was warm and cozy.

Chrome fixtures and vinyl accessories transformed the diner into an era that pulled you back to the seventies.

I loved this place for that reason, and they served the best peach cobbler in St. Louis.

I spotted Journey and Frankie immediately in our usual booth by the window, their animated conversation audible even over the clatter of plates and the hiss of the grill.

Journey’s natural hair was pulled back in a colorful headwrap that complemented her dark purple sweater, while Frankie’s short-cropped hair cut was fresh from the salon.

“My girl!” Frankie gestured to me as I approached, standing to pull me into one of her church hugs. “Girl, you look like you’ve been putting in work. That cycling is giving you serious athlete vibes.”

I’d changed out of my bike clothes into dark jeans and a cream cashmere sweater, but apparently, I still had the post-workout glow. “I did thirty miles this morning.”

“Thirty miles?” Journey shook her head as I slid into the booth across from them. “Meanwhile, I pulled a muscle reaching for the remote last night.”

“That’s because you need to get your behind up and move,” Frankie said, sliding back into her seat. “I keep telling you, come to my Zumba class. We’ll get you right.”

“Chile, please. Zumba and I do not mix. Remember what happened when you dragged me to that spin class?”

I laughed, remembering Journey’s dramatic retelling of that particular disaster. “Didn’t you fall off the bike?”

“I didn’t fall off. I gracefully dismounted when it became clear that the bike and I had philosophical differences about what constituted appropriate speed.”

“She lasted twelve minutes,” Frankie added with a grin. “Twelve minutes, and then she was in the lobby drinking orange juice and reading a magazine.”

The waitress, Trisha, who’d been working here since before any of us were born, appeared with a coffee pot and her no-nonsense attitude. “The usual, ladies?”

We nodded in unison. Trisha had our orders memorized: chicken and waffles for Frankie, a veggie omelet for Journey, and a Greek salad for me. She poured coffee all around without being asked and disappeared back toward the kitchen.

“So,” I said, wrapping my hands around my mug, “what’s this mysterious news that couldn’t wait?”

Journey’s face lit up. She clasped her hands together and took a deep breath. “Okay, you know how I’ve been teaching fourth grade at Donaldson Elementary for the past eight years?”

“Since you graduated,” Frankie confirmed. “Best teacher those kids ever had, even if you are too soft on them sometimes.”

“I am not too soft. I’m nurturing. There’s a difference.” Journey waved her hand dismissively. “Anyway, you know how I’ve always talked about wanting to make a bigger impact. Maybe move into administration or curriculum development?”

I nodded. Journey had been saying for years that she wanted to do more than just teach—she wanted to help shape educational policy, create programs that would benefit kids throughout the district.

“Well, last month I applied for a position with the district office. Curriculum specialist for elementary literacy programs.” Journey’s voice was getting higher with excitement.

“I didn’t tell you all because I didn’t want to jinx it, and honestly, I didn’t think I had a real shot. They had over two hundred applicants.”

“Journey Peterson, if you don’t get to the point,” Frankie threatened, pointing her fork in Journey’s direction.

“They offered me the job!” Journey practically bounced in her seat. “I got the call Friday morning. I start in May, which gives me time to finish out the semester with my kids and transition properly.”

“Oh my God!” I reached across the table to grab her hands. “Journey, that’s wonderful! Congratulations!”

Frankie let out a whoop that turned heads throughout the diner. “That’s my girl! I knew those fools would recognize talent when they saw it.”

“It’s a significant pay increase too,” Journey continued, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “Enough that I can start saving for a house. A real house with a yard and everything.”

“No more apartment living,” I said, squeezing her fingers. “You’ve been dreaming about having your own garden.”

“Right? I’m already planning what I want to plant. Tomatoes, definitely. Maybe some herbs. Oh, and I want one of those big oak trees in the front yard where I can hang a swing.”

Trisha appeared with our food, setting plates down. The chicken and waffles smelled so good that I was tempted to ask Frankie for a bite, but my salad was how I liked it with extra olives and dressing on the side.

“This calls for a celebration,” Frankie said, cutting into her waffle. “We need to plan something special. Dinner at that fancy place downtown? Or maybe a weekend trip? We could go to D.C. and hit up some museums.”

“Or we could just keep doing what we’re doing right now,” Journey interrupted with a smile. “Having lunch with my best friends and talking about the future. This is perfect.”

That was Journey in a nutshell. While Frankie and I tended to lean toward traveling, Journey found joy in simple moments. It was one of the things I loved most about her, even if her perpetual optimism sometimes made me feel cynical by comparison.

“So what does this mean for your dating life?” Frankie asked, taking a bite of chicken. “You gonna let me set you up with my cousin Philip?”

Journey blushed. “I’m focusing on my career right now.”

“You’ve been focusing on your career for eight years,” Frankie pointed out. “Maybe it’s time to focus on finding someone to share that success with.”

“Girl, you haven’t been on a real date since the Clinton administration,” Journey shot back. “How can you talk about me?”

“First of all, that’s an exaggeration. Second of all, we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you and your exciting new job and nonexistent love life.”

I laughed and Journey cut her eyes at us. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine. Really. I’m not like you two—I don’t need a man to feel complete.”

“Whoa,” I said. “Why am I getting shots fired at me? And I do not need a man. Tuh. That’s the last thing I want.” The lie almost choked me, but I swallowed it and held it in the deepest part of my gut.

Frankie lifted a finger. “There’s a difference between needing a man to feel complete and having one around for certain activities. And I’m much more desirable of the latter.”

“Frankie!” Journey’s eyes widened as she fought back a smile.

“What? I’m just being honest. Life is short, and good loving makes it better. Speaking of which...” Frankie’s attention suddenly shifted to something over my shoulder, and her expression changed to one of pure appreciation. “Hellooooo nurse!”

She drew out the words in a sing-song voice that floated across half the diner, followed by a low whistle that made several patrons turn in their seats.

Journey and I twisted around to see what had Frankie’s attention.

Near the counter, a tall Black man in black scrubs was ordering coffee to go.

He was handsome, fine fine, actually, with broad shoulders, kind eyes, and an easy smile.

He also looked familiar, but I knew I didn’t know him.

There’s no way I would forget that face.

“Frankie, you cannot holler at random men in public,” Journey hissed, sliding down in her seat as if she could make herself invisible.

“I didn’t holler. I simply expressed my appreciation for quality craftsmanship.” Frankie straightened her shoulders and fluffed her hair. “And honey, that is some quality craftsmanship right there.”

The man in question glanced in our direction, probably wondering where the whistling had come from. When his eyes met Frankie’s, she gave him an innocent, yet flirtatious little wave.

“Oh my God, he’s looking over here,” Journey whispered. “I’m going to die of embarrassment.”

“Why? You didn’t do anything. I’m the one appreciating the view.” Frankie took a sip of her coffee, never breaking eye contact with the nurse. “Besides, my baby’s father is on daddy duty this weekend. Mama’s got to eat.”

The nurse smiled, amused at her shenanigans. He raised his coffee cup in a small salute before heading toward the door. As he passed our table, he paused.

“Ladies, I hope you’re enjoying your lunch.” His voice was warm, deep, with that mid-west lilt and a hint of southern drawl. “And thank you for the... appreciation.”

Frankie beamed. “Anytime, gorgeous. You work around here?”

“Barnes-Jewish. Just got off a twelve-hour shift.” He glanced at all three of us, his gaze lingering on Frankie. “I’m Elijah, by the way.”

“Frankie. These are my friends, Journey and Naomi.”

Journey managed a small wave while I nodded politely. Elijah seemed nice enough, and I could already see the wheels turning in Frankie’s head.

“Well, Elijah from Barnes-Jewish, maybe we’ll see you around. I hear the coffee here is excellent.”

“It is. However, I’m inclined to believe the company is even better.” He smiled again, then headed for the door. “You ladies have a wonderful afternoon.”

As soon as he was gone, Journey buried her face in her hands. “I cannot believe you just did that.”

“Did what? Had a normal human interaction with an attractive man?” Frankie was practically glowing with satisfaction. “He was fine, he was nice, and he definitely wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. I call that a successful scouting mission.”

“You’re impossible,” I said, smiling. Frankie’s boldness had always amazed me. She approached life with the same fearlessness she brought to everything else, whether it was raising her son as a single mother or flirting with strange men in public.

“I’m practical,” Frankie corrected. “Good men don’t just fall out of the sky. Sometimes you have to let them know you’re interested.”