Page 38 of The Dating Prohibition
Kendra:It’s just that we’ve known each other so long. I don’t know... Maybe I had feelings and didn’t know I had feelings?
Lani:Well, I’d say that’s obvious, wouldn’t you? Don’t you remember how you wouldn’t shut up about him in high school?
Kendra gasped.Was I really that bad?!
Kendra:I guess I thought that was all behind me, but clearly it’s just been repressed. Ugh, but seeing him here with this chickis gonna get me right.
Lani:You January Capricorns always stay ready to excommunicate somebody. SMH. You know what? I think we need a night out.
Kendra’s eyebrows perked up.
Kendra:Girls’ night?
Lani:Girls’ night.
Kendra’s mouth curved slightly.
Kendra:I’m in.
She looked up to see her brother staring at her. “What?”
“When you make that face, I know you’re talking to our cousin. What are you two conspiring about?” Logan eyed her suspiciously.
“Nothing! Why do you always think the worst of us?” She threw her hands up.
“Because I know you.”
“Okay, fine, but we’re just planning a night out for the girls. It’s not a big deal, L.”
“Well, don’t be influencing my wife,” he warned, his eyes crinkling as he tried to hide his smile.
“Nobody’s gonna make her do anything she doesn’t want to do, but we’ll have to coordinate it so that everybody’s scheduleworks out together.”
“I’m working on the schedule today, so I’ll make sure you all have the same night off.”
“Okay, bet. Anyway, brother—” she took the final sip of her wine “—I’m gonna head home and keep doing my research.”
“You don’t want to stay and keep me company?” Logan teased.
Kendra’s eyes shifted in BJ’s direction before returning to her brother. “Nah. This is all you.” She smiled.
He nodded, glancing toward the window. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow. Call me if you need me.”
“Always.”
Chapter 9
Kendra dragged herself out of bed the next day, barely opening her eyes as she shuffled to the bathroom to brush her teeth.As she settled into her morning routine of shower, skincare, and coffee, she thought about the past few days, her night withBJ. “Fuck,” she whispered to herself, “we’re gonna have to talk about it.”
A sense of dread thumped in the pit of her stomach, building with anticipation and igniting her intrusive thoughts.Maybe I should book some time with my therapist.On the other hand, hope bloomed in her chest with the thought of possibilities. Of what could be. A cynical voice in herbrain repeatedly shot those hopes down, but they continued to bloom.
“Just maybe,” she muttered. Her phone rang, and the face of her favorite aunt flashed on her screen. Accepting the call onspeaker as she poured herself a cup of coffee, she smiled wide. “Hey, Auntie Mack, how are you?”
“That depends... How’s my favorite niece?”
Kendra giggled. “I’m your only niece.”
“Well, be that as it may, if I had another one, you’d still bemy favorite.” The sound of her soothing voice made Kendra picture her aunt’s playful smile.
