Page 31 of Rules Of Engagement: St. Louis (In The Heart of A Valentine #17)

I watched Naomi pour pretend tea into tiny plastic cups while Sade chattered about her dolls. She was completely absorbed in the conversation, asking questions about each doll’s name and personality as if it were the most important discussion she’d ever had.

“She’s going to fit right in,” Elijah continued.

“You think so?”

“I know so. Look around. When’s the last time you saw the family this relaxed with someone new?”

He was right, which I knew. Naomi was talking easily with Aunt Cherry about her garden, laughing at my father’s jokes, and letting Sade braid her hair. It was natural, effortless.

“Christian.”

I turned to find Dahlia standing behind me, looking professional in a black dress that was ideally suited for Sunday dinner.

“Dahlia. I didn’t know you were coming.”

“I tried to get you on the phone, but I couldn’t get an answer.”

I frowned. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, yes, but I’ve added some things to your schedule and wanted you to approve them before the new week started. So here I am, and something smells delicious.”

I smirked. “It’s Sunday dinner. Have you eaten?” As soon as I asked, her stomach growled. “I guess that answers that question.

She laughed. “I’ve been busy.”

“Doing what?”

“Making sure I’m on top of things.”

“Don’t tell me you’re starving yourself because of work? It’s okay to take a break.”

She grinned, sheepishly.

“I’ve got a plate with your name on it,” Elijah said.

I nodded. “You heard the man.”

“I’ll gladly take it.”

Elijah left to go make Dahlia a plate.

Dahlia’s gaze moved to Naomi, who was now on the floor with Sade, both of them giggling about something. “Is that her? The woman everyone’s talking about?”

“That’s Naomi.”

“She’s lovely.”

“She is.”

“I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.”

I nodded. “The relationship is new, and it’s not something I would’ve added to the calendar.”

She laughed, but I got the feeling she wasn’t amused.

“You’re not going to crack the whip on me about that, are you?”

“Not this time.”

I glanced at Naomi and found her watching us. I winked, and she winked back, and her eyes traveled to Dahlia. When I looked back at Dahlia, she was also watching Naomi, but neither of them spoke. That was interesting. Tension settled between us.

“Let me introduce you,” I said, wanting to put out a fire if one was brewing.

“Sure.”

We walked to Naomi and Sade. “Naomi, this is my assistant, Dahlia. I’m sure you remember her from the gala.”

“Yes, I do. It’s nice to see you again, Dahlia.”

“You too.”

“Are you here for Sunday dinner?”

“By happenstance,” Dahlia said. “I thought you were with Nathan Bullard, so I was surprised to see you here.”

Naomi’s eyes widened, then sharpened, and I turned my attention to Dahlia.

“Wait. What’s happening here?”

She blinked back at me. “What?”

“What? That was rude. What’s going on with you?”

She flustered. “I didn’t think it was rude. That was the last time I saw her. I was only making an observation.”

“One that didn’t need to be made. She’s here with me, not Nathan. And you knew she was my girlfriend before I introduced you.”

“You’re right.” She held her hands up in surrender. “I apologize to you and to you, Naomi.”

Naomi didn’t respond, only glared at Dahlia. Elijah strolled up just in time with a plate of food.

“Thank you, Elijah. I’ll take this to go if you don’t mind.”

“So soon?” He glanced between us and felt the atmospheric change. “Okay. Well, drive safely, and I hope you enjoy your meal.”

“I’m sure I will.” She looked at me. “Christian, check your calendar. I’m a phone call away if you need anything.” She turned to look at Naomi but didn’t say anything, turned and walked away.

I stood there baffled for a few seconds. What the fuck was that?

“There!” Sade announced, putting the finishing touches on Naomi’s hairstyle.

“You look like a princess!”

“Thank you, sweetheart.” Naomi’s fingers went to the elaborate braid Sade had created. “You did a beautiful job.”

“Did your friend leave?” Sade asked, noticing Dahlia’s absence.

“She had to go,” I said, settling on the floor next to Naomi.

“Good. I didn’t like her.”

“Sade,” I said, fighting a smile. “That’s not nice.”

“But it’s true. She looked at Naomi like she was mean.”

Out of the mouths of babes. I glanced at Naomi, who was trying not to smile.

“She seemed lovely,” Naomi said diplomatically.

“She was jealous,” Sade said matter-of-factly. “My friend Rebecca gets jealous when I play with other girls. It makes her face look all pinched up.”

“Sade!” Xander called from the kitchen. “Come help me set the table.”

“Can Naomi help too?”

“If she wants to.”

“I’d love to help,” Naomi said, letting Sade pull her to her feet.

Dinner was loud, chaotic, and perfect. Sade insisted on sitting next to Naomi and spent most of the meal telling her elaborate stories about her toys, her friends, and her plans to be a veterinarian when she grew up.

“Because animals are better than people,” she announced, spearing a piece of chicken with her fork.

“Most of the time,” Naomi agreed.

“You can be my assistant when I’m a vet. If you want.”

“I’d be honored.”

My father entertained the table with stories from his latest comedy gigs, including a disastrous wedding where the bride’s mother heckled him throughout his entire set.

“She kept yelling that I wasn’t funny,” he said, throwing his hands up dramatically. “So I said, ‘Lady, your daughter’s marrying a man who still lives with his mother. My comedy isn’t the tragedy here.’”

The table erupted in laughter. Even Naomi was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.

“Dad, you didn’t,” Elijah said.

“I absolutely did. The bride’s mother stopped heckling me, but she threatened not to pay me, and I threatened to sue.”

“Have mercy,” Aunt Cherry said.

“Have mercy on me!” My father shouted. “I was the one being harassed with rudeness.” He mumbled. “I got my money, too.”

More laughter erupted. That was my father. The life of the party.

After dinner, the family scattered to different parts of the house. The men gathered around the television to argue about football, the children went to play video games, and the women started the process of putting away leftovers and washing dishes.

“I’ll help,” Naomi said, carrying plates to the kitchen.

“You’re a guest,” Aunt Bernice protested.

“I’m family now,” Naomi said without thinking, then blushed. “I mean...”

“Yes, you are,” my mother said firmly, appearing with an armload of serving dishes. “And family helps clean up.”

I was loading the dishwasher when my mother appeared beside me with a dishtowel.

“I like her,” she said quietly.

“I thought you might.”

“Sade’s completely smitten. She’s been talking about Naomi nonstop for the last hour.”

“Kids have good instincts.”

“Yes, they do.” My mother was quiet for a moment, watching Naomi laugh at something Aunt Cherry was saying. “You remind me of your father when he was young. All charm and no caution. But you lead with restraint. Don’t let that keep you from what you want.”

I looked at my mother, surprised by the serious turn in her voice.

“I stayed in a relationship that wasn’t enough for a long time,” she continued. “It’s not a weakness to want more. Just don’t waste time pretending you don’t.”

“Mom...”

“I know you love her. It’s written all over your face.

And more importantly, she loves you back.

I can see it in the way she looks at you, and the way she fits into our chaos without missing a beat.

” She handed me a plate to put in the dishwasher.

“Don’t overthink this one, Christian. Some people are worth the risk. ”

“She’s vulnerable. It took time to even get to this point.”

“And that’s okay. You continue being your authentic self, caring and full of love, and she’ll know in her heart that she’s safe.” She glanced at her husband, Brent. “Trust me, women know when they’re safe.”

I nodded and smiled. “I love you, Mom.”

She put her arms around me, and I relaxed in her embrace.

“I love you, too, Son.”

An hour later, we were ready to leave. Sade cried when Naomi said goodbye.

“She’s such a sweetheart. Xander’s doing a great job with her.”

“Single parenting isn’t easy.”

“No, but he’s got your whole family for support. That makes a difference.”

“You’re her new best friend.”

“That’s such an honor.”

I kissed her forehead and opened the passenger side door, waiting until she was inside before shutting it.

The ride was quiet and calm as the radio played softly in the background. I watched Naomi from the corner of my eye, noting the way she’d relaxed completely and how her smile came easier now.

“What are you thinking about?” I asked as we pulled into my parking garage.

“Your family. How easy it was to be part of it.”

“You were part of it. Sade practically adopted you.”

“Your mother gave me her number. She said I should call her if I ever want to learn her cornbread recipe.”

“That’s serious business. My mother doesn’t share that recipe with just anyone.”

“She also told me some interesting stories about you as a child.”

I groaned. “What kind of stories?”

“You tried to give the family cat a bath and ended up flooding the bathroom,” she laughed.

“I was seven. And Zoe was dirty.”

Naomi laughed harder, and I shook my head.

“She said you cried for an hour because you thought you’d hurt him.”

“I thought I’d drowned him. I was very dramatic about the whole thing.”

“Your mom said that’s when she knew you’d grow up to be someone who takes care of people.”

We sat in the car for a moment, neither of us moving to get out.

“I know you’ve been with me for the last couple of days, and while I don’t want to smother you, I do want you to stick around a little while longer. Go to work from my place instead of yours.”

She smiled and stared. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Warmth flooded me, and I slipped my hand behind her head and pulled her close, in a rush to taste her mouth.