Page 43 of The Dating Prohibition
“I don’t mean to interrupt, I just saw you three and couldn’t stay away. You’re the baddest chicks in here.” His voice oozedwith a bravado that didn’t match his appearance. A droplet fell from one of his curls to the collar of his jacket.
“Chicks?” Shonda inquired, her expression unreadable. “That’s an interesting way to address somebody that you’ve never metbefore.”
“My apologies. You’re right.” He checked himself, patting his chest with the palm of his hand. “You’re absolutely right. May I know your names?”
“Why don’t we start with yours?” Lani replied, her eyebrow quirked.
“Sure, my name is Donovan.” He winked at her. Kendra shuddered internally.
“Donovan, nice to meet you,” Shonda replied. “I’m Shonda. This is Lani. This is Kendra.”
“Kendra, I have to tell you, I noticed you first. And I see that you’re not wearing a ring. Are you single?”
“That’s awfully forward of you, Donovan.” Kendra smiled politely.
“Well, when a man knows what he wants...” He licked his lips, a hungry look in his eyes.
“And what is it that you want?”
“I’d like to get to know you better, if that’s alright.”
“I’m sorry, I’m taken, but I appreciate you for coming to say hello.”
Shonda continued to watch Donovan closely as Lani’s head whipped toward Kendra, her eyes widening.
“You—” she started.
Shonda kicked Lani under the table. Every girls’ night they’d ever had ultimately resulted in Lani having bruises on her shins.
Kendra looked down at her hands to keep from laughing.
“Is it serious?” Donovan asked. “Because if it’s not...”
“I’d say it’s pretty serious.” She kept her tone neutral.
“Are you anticipating a ring?”
This dude is doing the most. Why is he so pressed?“A ring is just a piece of property. I’m more concerned with how we commit to each other and build our lives together. A ringis nice, but that doesn’t make any guarantees, actions do.”
“Hmm,” he replied, clearly unconvinced that he should give up. “And what about you?” He turned to Lani. “I don’t mean to skip over you,” he directed at Shonda, “but I see the very clear diamond on your finger.”
“Yes, I’m very happily taken,” she replied.
Donovan gestured back to Lani, who chewed on her lip. Kendra could see the wheels in her head turning in terms of how shewas going to respond.
“You know, I’ve... I’ve recently started dating someone,” she said. “It’s new, but it’s someone I’ve liked for a long time.So, I’m not really open to anything right now either.”
“So, can I ask y’all a question?” Donovan’s arms crossed over his chest, activator now actively running down the front ofhis jacket. “Why are y’all even out tonight if you’re all taken?”
“Is this like a singles-only club, because no one told us.” Kendra shrugged.
“No, but shouldn’t you be with your dudes?”
“Why do you assume that we’re all with dudes?” Shonda rested her chin in her hand, looking bored.
“Okay, fine. Yourpartners?” he said mockingly.
“‘Why are you still here?’ is really the question.” Kendra’s eyes narrowed at him. “We’ve answered your questions. None ofus are available. We don’t need the third degree about where our significant others are. We’re here for girls’ night. So,why don’t you see yourself back to the bar or to some other women who might actually be interested?”
