Page 30 of The Dating Prohibition
“The only thing that’s gonna limit you is you. I need you to believe in yourself and your ability to make it happen. You arefar more resourceful than you think you are.”
“In what way? What are you even talking about?”
“Listen, Kenny. Remember when we were kids—remember high school. You were always trying to come up with a way to get out ofthe house with me and Logan.”
“Yeah, because otherwise I’d be stuck at home. My parents believed I should be there watching Saturday morning cartoons, becauseneither of them wanted to admit that I was in high schoolwithyou guys.”
“Well, there’s always been the desire to watch out for you. Of course, your big brother, your parents—you’re the baby girl.They only wanted to protect you.”
“Yeah, but they protected me so much that I left the country because I wanted to feel like I had agency. I did this data stuff because my parents thought tech was the right thing for me to do—it was the right thing to pursue at the time—because they wanted me to be financially independent. They don’t even ask me about dating anymore. Maybe they think that ship has sailed since I’ve been single for so long. I knowmy mom isn’t happy with what I’ve been up to, but I can’t live to please anyone but me.
“Even now. I’m in my late thirties and because I’m saving as much as I can, I’m not seen as self-sufficient. Maybe I am bitingoff more than I can chew, and that’s why the family didn’t even support it. Does everyone look at me like I’m some kind offuckup?”
“There’s nothing wrong with relying on your family from time to time, Kenny,” BJ’s voice rumbled.
The server brought another round of wine.
“I’m sorry, could I have something stronger?” She angled her face upward to the server.
“Sure! What would you like?”
“What do you have with gin?” Kendra narrowed her eyes on the last word.
“Whoa,” BJ muttered, raising his eyebrows. “Gin?”
“What’s wrong with gin?”
“What are you trying to accomplish?”
“Honestly, I think I want some shots.”
“Well, you don’t want to shoot gin... do you?”
“I don’t want to shoot vodka... what do you suggest?”
“We could do tequila, whiskey, bourbon...”
“You and your brown liquor.” She cracked a smile.
“Well, I just feel like that’s what my stomach can handle, but maybe we should get a little bit of food too?”
“Okay.”
They ordered olive tapenade with crostini and agreed to split an order of albondigas and patatas bravas.
“Is that enough starch for you?” she teased. “Surely there’s enough here to soak up a few shots...”
“A few? Honestly, you could probably do with a little bit more, but let’s just see how this night goes. For now, it’s fine.”
“Good, because I’m not crazy hungry.”
“So about those shots,” the server coaxed with a smile.
“Right, sorry about that. I’m thinking tequila?”
The woman nodded. “Any preferences?”
“Añejo or reposado? Do you have a preference?” Kendra reached across to BJ to decide.
