Page 32 of The Dating Prohibition
“No. You?”
“Uh, professorial work? No. Well, I’m on sabbatical, so I’m good. I’m not helping at the restaurant tomorrow.”
Kendra nodded, a pleasant buzz beginning to brew. “Okay, well, then, let’s get another round.”
BJ regarded her for a moment before nodding. “Fuck it, let’s do it. I’ll come back for the car in the morning.”
As the rest of the food reached the table, the edges of Kendra’s mind grew fuzzy and some of the worry fell away as she andBJ continued their meal.
“You know, when we were younger, I think I had a crush on you.”
“Me? Oh yeah?” The side of his mouth turned upward slightly as he studied her face. “When was this?”
“Probably when you were getting ready to graduate high school, I guess.”
He stared at her with an unreadable expression. “You never said anything.”
“How could I say anything? You’re my brother’s best friend, and though you were always my confidant, I just didn’t think youcould see me that way.”
“But still, you never said anything... I never knew that.”
“Well, I just figured you thought I was his dorky little sister,” she half laughed, sipping her water.
“I’ve never thought that about you, Kenny.”
“Well, a long time ago, I was just a nerdy girl trying to figure things out.”
He nodded. “Last one?”
She raised her glass. “To the people who really see you. To BJ. My knight in shining armor.”
“Well, I don’t know about all that.” He winked at her.
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t expect you to.” She propped her elbow on the table and rested her head in her hand. Her eyes weregrowing heavy, though not with sleep. Her mind wandered to the man sitting across from her and how warm he made her feel.“Maybe we should get out of here?”
“Yeah, I think you’re right.” He signaled to the server for the bill and once it had been paid they stepped out into the night.
“Don’t you live around here?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m just up the street.”
“Perfect. Let’s walk a little bit. The air is helping,” she sighed into the night. The cool air tickled her neck.
“You feelin’ all them shots, huh?” BJ’s mouth quirked into a smile.
“Yeah, but listen. Given the events taking place today, that was light work.” She grinned.
“Oh, you go hard now?”
“You’ve never gotten drunk with me before, BJ. I am a good time. Okay?”Are my words slurring? I sound funny.Kendra giggled to herself as she looped her arm through his.
They walked down the street, passing storefronts. A coffee shop. A record store.
A bookstore across the street.
“Have you ever been in there?” She jutted her chin toward the bookstore.
“Yeah, every once in a while I’ll go in there for some new material. It’s Black-owned. The store owner is actually reallycool and she’ll special order things for me if she doesn’t have them in stock.”
