Page 100 of The Dating Prohibition
“Ready as I’ll ever be! You want to follow me in?”
“I’m right behind you.”
Kendra led the way through the door into the private room and gasps erupted as her relatives recognized the dessert behindher. “One of Shonda’s all-time favorite desserts is Granny’s chocolate doberge cake.”
Shonda’s eyes lit up as she waved her fists in the air. “You are seriously the best humanever!”
“Y’all know I have to put my spin on anything I make, so this is a chocolate and hazelnut doberge cake, and this—” Kendrapointed to the small box below the cakes “—is one for you to take home for that sweet tooth.”
Logan raised his hands to the heavens, and Kendra caught Ben’s eyes as they both burst into laughter.
“I’ve got one more surprise up my sleeve—”
“Before you get to that—” Ben cleared his throat “—do you mind if I say something?”
Kendra eyed him curiously. “Sure, of course.”
He walked around the table to stand near Kendra, Shonda and Lani whispering to each other until they were shushed by Kendra’s mom. “I have a surprise too.”
“You do? I told you that you didn’t need to get anything to celebrate the anniversary.”
“This isn’t about the restaurant’s anniversary,” he said carefully, reaching for her hand.
“Help me understand.” Kendra’s brows pinched together.
“Yes, you’ve worked to the bone to create a successful business, and everyone knows we just got the keys to our new home,but I’ve got something that I need to get off my chest.”
Kendra’s heart began to pound with worry as a stone fell to the pit of her stomach.What is happening?“What’s wrong?”
“I realized that there’s something that I need before we move into our new place.” He gazed at her intensely, squeezing herhand.
Her brain began to short-circuit as she tried to imagine what he could mean. “I—”
“This past year has been the best year of my life. We’ve both grown in our careers, and we’re building something together.There’s no one else that I want to do life with—to build a family with—and I want our next steps to bring us even closer together.And before you ask, yes, I spoke to your fatherandyour brother.” Ben’s thumb caressed the palm of her hand as he pulled something from his pocket and knelt on one knee—collectivegasps echoing around the room.
“Oh my god,” Kendra whispered, a flurry of emotions building within her as she stared into Ben’s eyes, his face soft and fullof love. Tears welled in her eyes.Please don’t ugly cry, please don’t ugly cry.
“Kenny, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Her chest swelled. “Yes.” She beamed, leaning forward to cup his face and plant a kiss on his lips. She pulled on his hand, but he stopped her.
“One last piece,” he whispered, turning her left palm downward to slide a solitary diamond onto her ring finger.
“It’s beautiful, thank you.” She admired it before tugging at him once more. As he stood, she threw her arms around him.
“I had help picking it out, you know.” His head bobbed in Lani and Shonda’s direction.
“Seriously, you two have really upped your secret game! All of you knew?!” she cried as she was met with knowing smiles. Shepressed her hands to her chest. “It’s perfect. This is perfect.” Her family began to rise from their seats to come and congratulatethem. “Wait!” she stopped them. “There’s one more thing.”
Kendra turned and Lindsay handed her a cake knife. She sliced into the cake exposing layers of cake and chocolate buttercreamaccented by crushed hazelnuts.
“I know it’s my favorite, but it’sjusta cake, Keke—you just got engaged!” Shonda exclaimed.
Kendra deftly pulled out a thick slice of cake and pastel hard candies poured from its center. “But it’s not just a cake.”She smiled mischievously.
“Who puts candy in a doberge cake?” Mrs. Porter lamented. “Your Granny would have a fit!”
“Granny gave me the idea when I called to tell her the news,” Kendra laughed as she reached inside to pull a square pieceof fondant from the center of the candies. Turning, she handed it to Ben. “Here.”
