Page 33 of The Dating Prohibition
“Oh, that’s nice. I should go visit.”
“I could take you there sometime if you want.”
It was a simple offer, but something about it made Kendra’s stomach flutter. “Sure.”
They neared his building, which was a row house converted into a duplex. He had the upper two floors. “Do you want to comeup?”
“Yeah, I kind of need to sit down for a bit, if that’s okay with you.”
“No worries, of course.”
He led her up the stairs, and as they entered his apartment, she gasped, taking in her surroundings. BJ wasn’t quite a minimalist,but he had a very tidy home. His large sectional couch faced an impossibly large TV screen. Off toward the window was a high-backchair, accent chair, a humidor fridge, and a wine fridge.
A record player sat atop a hutch and a bookcase partition separated the living room from the kitchen eating area. “Wow, yourplace is so nice.”
“You’ve never been here before?” he asked, surprised.
“No, I guess we always saw you, you know, at my parents’ house or at Logan’s. I’ve never been over here.”
“Oh, well, there’s a nice view... from the rooftop.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, it’s a little cold tonight, but maybe some other time?”
“Okay, sure.” She took off her shoes before padding toward the couch.
“Can I get you something?”
“What do you have?”
“Water?” he deadpanned.
“Okay, don’t do that, sir. I’m fine.”
“Fine, what do you want?”
“Bourbon?”
He nodded. “Yeah, that sounds nice. I think I’ll join you.” He poured them each a couple of fingers of Angel’s Envy in old-fashionedglasses and sat facing her. One arm propped against the back of the couch. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “I’ve been, you know, trying to figure this whole thing out, and I still don’t know what I’m gonna do,but there’s gotta be a way.”
“Well, I am glad to hear that you’re thinking along those lines now. It was worrying me that you sounded like you were gonnajust walk away from it.”
A warmth built in her chest as he spoke to her. “No, you’re right. I can’t walk away from it. I just—I just...” She lookedat him.
“What?”
“I—” Kendra started again, but she couldn’t find the right words.
“What is it?” he asked gently. He leaned toward her, studying her face.
“I—” she rasped. The proximity to him overwhelmed her,his scent taking over her senses. BJ’s deep brown eyes trapped her and refused to let her go, but truth be told, she would have been a willing prisoner.
“I’m sorry, Ben,” she said finally.
BJ moved closer to her, his elbows resting on his knees, lines pinching between his brows. “What are you sorry for?”
