Page 26 of The Dating Prohibition
Kendra frowned. “Wouldn’t they know we’re all right upstairs to let them out?”
“But if they’re the two that stay to close up, none of us will be here. And maybe we—conveniently—are at some undisclosedlocation and it takes us a while to get back to let them out?”
“Has false imprisonment ever been a good idea? Just think of it. ‘Mommy how did you and Daddy meet?’” Kendra turned from oneside to the other to respond, switching from a high-pitched nasally voice to a deeper, more sultry and sophisticated tone.“‘Well, baby, I conspired with your aunties to trap him in the restaurant cellar so that he’d be forced to fall in love withme.’” She’d perfected her auntie voice and couldn’t wait for Shonda and Logan to grow their family so she could spoil theirbabies.
“But that’s the best part—no one is forcing him to fall in love. I bet he’s halfway there already. He just needs some motivation to make a move.” Shonda laced her fingers as if she were pleading for Kendra to agree.
“I can’t speak for Lani, but I know I don’t want a relationship that starts with a trap.”
Lani had watched them volley back and forth, and she closed her eyes for a brief moment, twisting her mouth to the side asif in deep contemplation. “So here’s the thing...” she started, pressing the tips of her fingers against the bar. “Normally,I’d agree with my cousin, because I don’t want to manipulate a situation into a relationship. That justsoundsmessy. But, I will say that Shonda is also right—he’s had ample opportunity to say something, and he just keeps dancing aroundthe issue even though he’s not afraid to keep stealing glances anytime we’re in the same room together.”
Kendra leaned against the bar. The cold stone cooled her forearm as she pressed it onto the surface. “Are you saying you wantto try this out? Why don’t you just do the direct thing and ask him out yourself?”
Lani swiveled her neck, grasping at air with one hand. “Bitch, what? What I look like to you, Boo Boo the Fool?” The scowlon her face was accentuated by a pinch between her brows.
“What’s wrong with asking him out? I’m not seeing the issue. I didn’t say propose to the man—I just think it’s silly to dancearound the issue when you know what you want. Y’all act like the dudes in our circle have ever been good at taking hints.”
Shonda giggled. “Facts.”
Lani tapped her fingers against her chin. “If it were that simple, why wouldn’t you just ask BJ out?”
Just twist the knife...“He doesn’t want to date me. It’s different.” Kendra shrugged. The last thing she wanted to dowas rehash the feeling of being wanted but simply not enough to justify trying. And it wasn’t as if she didn’t believe herself worthy—she knew she was. And that was what made it so frustrating.
Her cousin and sister-in-law exchanged a glance and burst out laughing.
“Excuse me, but what? He doesn’t. I’m not understanding why y’all refuse to believe me,” she huffed.
“But then why does he look at you like he wants to dig for your buried treasure?” Lani smirked, slapping Shonda five.
“Right, he be scoping you out like you’re the five-course meal, the doggie bag, and the breakfast in bed the next morning.Everything in his face says he wants to meal prep and savor your fine ass.” Shonda shook her head as Lani whooped and cackled,waving her arms and snapping her fingers in affirmation.
Kendra scoffed and shook her head. “Nasty heffas,” she muttered, though she could feel warmth creeping up her neck to reston her cheeks.They don’t understand.“I can’t force something when he doesn’t want it to be anything. It’s like giving an ultimatum and forcing the situation when,for whatever reason, he’s not ready.”Or maybe he was trying to save my feelings and just doesn’t actually want something with me.
Shonda’s shoulders dropped as she tilted her head and regarded her sister-in-law. “Well, honestly, I think it’s better offthis way,” she replied softly. “I don’t know if I ever told you this, but back when Logan and I started dating, BJ told himhe shouldn’t get too serious with me. I don’t even know why. Logan obviously didn’t take the advice, but I always thoughtBJ had something against me. I never understood it––maybe he didn’t think I was good enough for Logan. Maybe there’s somethingmore to his decision to avoid anyone in the inner circle.”
A twinge of recognition burst within her, deflating hope like a chef knocking the air out of dough after its first rise. She hadn’t mentioned to the girls how BJ referenced the loss of Amber. Still, none of that explained the concern that Shonda had—she was permanently in the inner circle now. “Or maybe he just didn’t know you well enough yet. He loves you for Logan, sis.” Kendra rested a hand on Shonda’s shoulder. “My brother’s never been happier.”
“I shouldn’t still feel miffed, but I do.”
Strange.“Nah, BJ loves you. Whatever that was, I’m sure it was a misunderstanding.” Their interactions always seemed friendly andpositive, and BJ wasn’t the kind of person to hold on to any bad feelings—at least never in front of Kendra.
Shonda nodded. “You’re probably right. And I totally could have misread it.”
“You’ve never asked Logan about it?” Kendra eyed her curiously.I wonder how long she’s been feeling this way.
“I tried once, and he told me that there wasn’t anything to be worried about. So he answered me but it’s not like he was clear—sometimesI think the man is speaking in parables.”
Kendra chuckled. “I don’t think he’d minimize something if there was anything to it... he’s not the type to be anythingbut brutally honest.”Facts. She’d once made the mistake of asking her brother how she looked in a pleather jumpsuit as she prepared to go out on a date,and when he replied that she looked like she was wearing baby seal pelts crafted by the finest taxidermist, she vowed to neverseek his opinion again. She’d rather poll random strangers on the internet than be roasted by Logan—his brand of honesty packeda punch.Dude is ruthless.
Shonda considered that for a moment and shook her head and shoulders as if to break loose any remaining anxiety. “You’re right.” She clapped her hands. “Okay, now back tothe matter at hand. Lani, Kendra has a point. You are obviously into him. Why not say something?”
“Because I want him to pursue me. Haven’t y’all heard that you should have someone that likes you more than you like them?”Lani lowered her chin, staring at the two of them like it was obvious.
Kendra scrunched up her face. “Where do they say that?”
Lani held up a hand to ignore her cousin. “Remember, you’ve been gone for two years. Anyway, I saw this woman talking aboutit on TikTok.”
“So that makes her an authority? Because she decided to post a video of herself speaking on social media? Does she have anycredentials or is she just talkin’ out her neck?” Shonda couldn’t hide the bewildered grin from spreading across her face.“How does that make sense to you?”
