Page 16 of The Dating Prohibition
BJ:You good?
She cursed under her breath, realizing he’d texted that he was home while she was in the shower.
Kendra:Yeah, sorry! Was in the shower and didn’t see your message. Glad you made it okay.
BJ:Why did you tell me that?
Kendra:Tell you what?
BJ:You were in the shower. Don’t tease me.
So I wasn’t hallucinating?He really almost kissed me?Kendra bit her lip at the thought, wishing she could turn back the clock and take matters into her own hands. Her curiositywouldn’t let her turn away from the image of his eyes watching her tongue wet her lips or the proximity of his mouth to hers.She squeezed her eyes shut and blew out a breath before shrugging.Fuck it.
Kendra:Sir, if you think that’s teasing, you’re sadly mistaken.
BJ:Oh really? Prove it.
Kendra rolled her eyes. “Light work,” she muttered. She threw back the duvet cover, folding one of her legs beneath her and extending her arm to take a suggestive selfie from an angle that showed off her lacy set and bare skin. Satisfied with the result, she hit Send.I can’t believe I just sent a thirst trap to my brother’s best friend.She pictured him in bed, his arousal growing as he took in her smooth skin and seductive smile.
BJ:Damn, Kenny...
Kendra:What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?
BJ:Is that an offer?
His text had the emoji with the smugly smiling side-eye. Kendra’s jaw slacked and she fell over into the pillows, her mindracing back to the images she’d conjured during her shower. “Dammit, dammit.”Walked right into that one.She sat up, plotting before she typed her next message.Might as well...
Kendra:And what if it is?
Minutes went by, and eventually Kendra shut off the light on her night table, assuming that BJ had fallen asleep. Restingagainst a pillow, she ran a fingertip along the swell of her breast when her phone chimed. Her stomach somersaulted as sheunlocked her screen.
BJ:Good night, Kenny...
Kendra’s lips curved in triumph as she pictured BJ stumped by what she’d suggested.That’s right. I’m not so little anymore.
Chapter 4
Over the next couple of days, Kendra avoided being alone with BJ for longer than a few minutes. Embarrassed by their textexchange, she couldn’t get it out of her head that she probably looked desperate sending that sexy photo. For the time being,her best defense was the ostrich approach—head in the sand until it fades from memory.God, what if he told Logan I did that?
The problem with attempted avoidance was that he was everywhere, and anytime they were in the same room, they kept catchingeach other stealing glances. Sometimes she didn’t even have to look—she couldfeelhis gaze on her. Flustered embarrassment showed on her cheeks anytime he was near, and she was relieved to finally reachthe end of the weekend and a much-needed day off, which she planned to spend with her family. The restaurant was closed onMondays, so they moved their traditional Sunday dinners to Monday nights when schedules permitted so that they could all betogether, and it was Kendra’s turn to cook.
Everyone had started to notice the tension between thetwo, and they couldn’t just keep their observations to themselves. No, they justhadto let her know she was making big ole googly eyes at her brother’s best friend. But never in front of Logan, of course,though he’d been watching his sister carefully and checking in even more frequently than normal.
To avoid being called out, Kendra had busied herself running errands for Shonda, attempting some new specialty cocktails tohave something fresh for any returning customers, and expediting the food in the kitchen so that Shonda could have more facetime with the guests.
Shonda had always been against workplace entanglements, but since neither of them worked there in an official capacity, Kendrawondered what her sister-in-law would make of the situation. She made a mental note to plan some time with the girls, becauseshe had no answers to the question that imprinted itself in the forefront of her mind.Should we?
The cooks had teased Kendra for watching BJ carry a case of wine to the cellar. She hadn’t meant to stare, but the strengthof his arms and back deserved an audience in the same way that women swooned over Winston Duke’s delectable thigh meat. She’dplayed off the teasing saying she was just nervous about him carrying such a heavy box down the steep cement stairs. Theyprobably didn’t believe her excuse, but they left her alone.
Of course, that didn’t stop Lani from calling her out regularly right in front of him. She’d watch with amusement as Kendrasputtered. “You know, you’re supposed to be onmyside, heffa,” she warned through gritted teeth.
Lani danced around Kendra playfully. “You’ve got a lot of tension built up, cousin... I wonder what you can do to releasesome of that—” Lani yelped as Kendra lunged at her.
She was lucky I didn’t put hands on her. Kendra smoothed her hands over her hair before wrapping a kitchen towel aroundthe handles of her lacquered Dutch oven pot, which was still piping hot from the oven. She and Shonda agreed to make the family dinner a potluck, and Kendra decided to make a beer-braised pork roast with root vegetables for the main protein. Shonda planned to roast some veggies and make a dessert. Momma was bringing her famous mac ’n’ cheese. Daddy baked ube pandesal stuffed with cheese––the thought alone made Kendra’s mouth water. Lani was probably picking up a bag of ice or some napkins. The best thing that heffa knew how to make was a reservation.
Kendra carried the hefty pot up the stairs and tapped her foot against the basement door so that someone would come open itfor her. “Hey, y’all, it’s me!”
Logan appeared and took the food from her. “Jesus, how much food did you cook? This roast must be thick as fuck, Ke.”
