Page 4 of The Dating Prohibition
They had one more day to perfect their dishes and cocktails and prep for the next day’s grand opening, but with more familycoming into town, and everyone coming together, Shonda insisted on making a big pot of gumbo for the restaurant team and thefamily as a love gift to thank them for everything they’d achieved.
Kendra’s knife flew through the last of the holy trinity—bell pepper, onions, and celery. The ingredients would be added to the roux to cool it and cook down the vegetables inpreparation for the stock. “Almost done! Where do you need me after this? Should I get started on desserts or syrups for the cocktails?”
Kendra slid over to incorporate the trinity into the roux, accepting the spoon from Shonda as Shonda glided to another burnerto turn it off and carried a saucepan to a nearby prep table. It felt so good to be back in the kitchen with family. The synergythat Kendra had with her sister-in-law was intuitive and meticulous, and Kendra wanted everything that she touched to be donejust right to help alleviate any stress that Shonda or Logan were feeling. As a family, their shared love language was food.They had a group thread where all they did was send videos of recipes and local fare that they wanted to try.
“Actually, I want to send you and BJ over to Restaurant Depot for some last-minute supplies and items that we need in bulk,and I thought while you’re out you can pick up a few cases from our wine supplier—something happened to their delivery truckso they’re not able to bring these bottles I need for dinner pairings. I may need you to also stop by the house, because Ithink that my boxes of extra stemware might be good to have on hand just in case.” Shonda rattled things off as she pulledsplit vanilla pods from the pot of hot cream. She poured a small amount of the steaming liquid into a bowl of egg yolks beatenwith sugar and salt, whisking furiously as she poured to ensure that the yolks didn’t scramble. Once she was satisfied thecream was well incorporated, she expertly poured in the rest of the saucepan while mixing continuously, a fierce concentrationin her eyes as the velvety mixture thickened to custard.
Kendra closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of sweet vanilla. “That crème brûlée is going to be so good. Do you have a listfor me of what you need?”
Shonda grunted, still whisking—her chin jutting toward her phone on the counter. “The list is in my notes app.”
Kendra angled the phone in front of Shonda’s face to unlock the screen and sent herself the notes. “Got it! We’ll be backsoon.”
Her sister-in-law stopped whisking and blew out a breath, satisfied with the consistency of her custard mixture. “Or, youknow, take your time,” she said with a grin, her thick curls piled into a messy bun at the top of her head and secured witha scarf to keep the flyaways controlled. “I’ve been hearing some of the family gossip.”
Kendra’s cheeks warmed as she gave her sister-in-law a death glare. “Don’t even think about it. You can’t believe everythingyou hear.”I’m gonna kill Lani.
“Oh, I know. Just keep your wits about you.”
“Nothingis happening.” Kendra rolled her eyes and stalked off toward the front of the restaurant, where BJ and Logan were organizingthe bar. She nodded toward BJ. “You rollin’, B?”
“I’ll drive.” He looked to Logan and lifted his chin. “We’ll be back.”
Logan pressed his lips together, eyeing his sister. “Call me if you need me.” His calm, easy demeanor often masked whateverhe was thinking, but she usually got a read on his general mood. Something about his face stopped Kendra in her tracks.
“What is it?” She stared at him curiously.
“You sure you don’t want me to go?” He ran his hand over his fade, his waves tapering off on the sides. As firstborn, hislooks favored their mom while Kendra was a true blend of both of their parents.
Kendra shrugged. “It’s just errands, bruh. Need anything while we’re out?”
“If you’re going to the house, go into my office and grab a couple of sticks for later. Just if you remember.” He was often soft-spoken, especially with her––the doting big brother when they weren’t at each other’s throats.
“I got you. Anything in particular?” Logan was a fan of a lighter cigar with his morning coffee and then would progress throughoutthe day—a true cigar connoisseur.
He shook his head. “Surprise me, and pick some for you too.”
They gave each other the same tight-lipped smile that they had since Kendra was old enough to mimic her big brother. Variationsof this exchange might as well have been their secret language. It all hinged on the expression in the eyes—this one was hisstandardLove youto herAlways. Being almost three years apart, his second favorite was a wide-eyedYou are annoyingto her smirkingBut you love me anyway.
As she followed BJ outside into the cool spring air, she lifted her face toward the sunshine for a moment. “So what are youdriving these days?”
“I’ve been thinking about an electric car, but it’s hard to part with perfection.” His indifferent gaze flashed a smug grinbriefly as he unlocked his Land Rover Defender and held open the passenger door for her.
“Perfection, huh?”Maybe a slight exaggeration...
He shrugged, his locs falling behind his shoulders. “It gets the job done. Where should we start?”
“Let’s hit the house, then the wine supplier, and then Restaurant Depot. Shonda’s got some perishables on the list, and Idon’t want those sitting in the car longer than they need to.”
“Bet.” BJ shut her door and rounded to his side to get in. He started the engine, strapped himself in and waited expectantly.
Kendra sighed, reaching to tug on her seat belt. “Right, I forgot. My bad.”
“Nah, you don’t have to apologize, Kenny.” His fingerstightened around the steering wheel. In college, BJ had a longtime girlfriend whom everyone assumed he would marry, but she’d been the victim of a hit-and-run while she was out for an evening jog. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t been in a car when the accident happened, BJ took car safety seriously ever since.
Kendra turned to look out the passenger window. She’d been in high school when it happened, and she’d only ever seen him dateone other person since then, but that had changed the dynamic of their entire circle.I wonder if anyone will ever compare to his first love.
A flash of BJ catching her before she fell in the restaurant crossed her mind––the way his hand gripped her waist stirredsomething within her.Pull it together, Ken. That’s lust, not love.She shook the memory from her head.
