Page 17 of The Dating Prohibition
“You know I don’t know how to make small dishes.”
“But we’re not a small army.”
Kendra shrugged. “Pack some of it up and bring it for the staff. You act like we’ve never sent people home with care packagesbefore. You and I both know Lani doesn’t have home-cooked meals if we don’t make them. Give some to Stanley and BJ too.”
Logan glared at her, and she turned away. He always got funny about his friends, not because he didn’t trust Kendra, but becausehe refused to ever set her up with any of them.What is that about? Why do guys never think they have friends good enough for the women in their lives?
“So... where’s my sister-in-law anyway? And I figured Momma and Daddy would already be here. Now, Lani, I expect her assto be late.”
Logan laughed. “She really is on an entirely different clock than the rest of us. Shonda will be right down––she spilled something on herself and wanted to change real quick.” Helifted the lid to peek at the roast. “Damn, Keke, this smells amazing. What kind of beer did you use?”
“Guinness. I figured it would bring out the richness of the meat. And it’s roasted with turnips and carrots, onions and leeks,a little celery...” The doorbell rang, and they both headed to the door to greet their parents.
“Hey, Momma.” Kendra wrapped her arms around her mom as Logan took the pan of macaroni from their dad. The fresh pandesalwas wrapped in foil and sat on top of the covered dish.
“Hey, baby. Somethin’ sure smells good!” Regina Porter kissed her daughter’s cheek and followed her son into the kitchen togreet him once he’d set the food on the island. “Hey, son. Gimme some sugar.”
“Hi, Daddy,” Kendra said, hugging her father as Shonda came down the stairs and made a beeline for the kitchen to check onher dishes.
“Hey there, sunshine.” He kissed Kendra’s forehead. “How’s everything going?”
“Uh,” Kendra laughed awkwardly. “It’s goin’... I have a meeting with this loan specialist who came by the restaurant theother day, so I’m planning to go over stuff with Logan later.”
“Good. You know your brother––he really knows his stuff. I’m sure he can give you some good advice so that you can get yourventure off the ground.” He patted her head affectionately before turning toward the back of the house to greet Shonda andsee how he could help out.
She nodded in agreement, words escaping her. While what he said was true, Kendra couldn’t help but wonder if her parents eversaid something like that about her. She knew they were proud of her, but it often seemed like they thought the sun shone directlyout of Logan’s ass. He was the pioneer paving the way in their family. Kendra was always following in his footsteps.
She stood at the front door in a daze, still holding it open against her back as Lani stepped onto the porch. “What are you, training to be the new Walmart greeter?”
“Shut up. What you bring besides yourself?”
Lani grinned and air-kissed her cousin as she stepped past her into the house. “Couple bottles of wine.”
Kendra’s eyebrows shot up.
“I know, it’s not my usual, but Stan put me on to this cute little wineshop in Riverdale Park, and I thought it might be niceto bring something that can be consumed other than ice.”
“I’m impressed.” Kendra nodded her approval. “Did they help you pick out wines? You didn’t know what we were cooking, so howdid they suggest pairings?”
Lani shrugged. “I just picked ones that I thought sounded good.”
Something twisted in the pit of Kendra’s stomach. Something about her cousin selecting wine based on vibes made her nervous,but she kept her face in check. “Great.” She nodded emphatically. “Come on, let’s see if everything’s ready.”
Once everyone had made a plate and made their way to the dining table, Logan blessed the food, and they all dug in. The tablewas met with a chorus of grunts and exclamations, some doing little shimmies in their seats while others slapped their handto the table and closed their eyes to savor. Everyone’s glasses were full, and Kendra and her brother nodded to each otheras they observed the others.
“Keke, this pork is so tender and flavorful.” Shonda’s eyes rolled back as she took another bite. Lani danced in her seatas she ate, her cheeks bouncing to the same beat.
Kendra watched her mom carefully take another bite, having gathered some of the pork and veggies on her fork together. She dragged the meat through the jus and ate slowlyas if taking mental notes. Kendra’s eyes darted to her brother and then back to Momma. “What do you think?”
Mrs. Porter nodded, patting the corner of her mouth with her napkin as she chewed slowly.Here we go.“You know, this reminds me a bit of that braised lamb dish your brother makes... his sauce is richer, but I think it’sbecause he uses wine instead of beer.”
Kendra looked down at her plate, pressing her lips together into a tight smile. “Right.”
“The turnips and leeks were an interesting touch. Was the store out of parsnips and garlic chives?”
She blinked slowly, taking a deep breath. “Nope, I made those selections intentionally, but I appreciate the feedback.”
“I wouldn’t have chosen them myself, but very creative, dear. Honey,” she said, turning to Logan, “I think that means nexttime you owe us that delicious lamb. Something about this meal is just making me crave it!”
