Page 63 of The Dating Prohibition
Kendra exhaled deeply, nodding, her thoughts a muddled frenzy. “I can’t think of words.”
He turned her onto her side, making her little spoon as he pressed against her, holding her hand and rubbing the tip of hisnose gently over her neck.
Contentedly, she snuggled into him pressing her face against the pillow. “I could get used to this,” she whispered.
His breath evened and he fell asleep without responding.
Kendra sighed. Against her will, her mind wandered back to her brother’s warning.He’s not ready for anything serious. What if he doesn’t want to get used to this?Her eyes flew open and she stared at the wall, his breathing brushed against the back of her neck in gentle gusts. Minutespassed before the rhythm of his breathing soothed her enough to drift off.
Kendra jolted awake from a deep sleep. She turned to look behind her and BJ’s side of the bed was vacant. She reached for her phone and saw he’d sent her a text message that they needed him at the restaurant, but she was welcome to stay and rest at his place. She leaned against the pillows, taking a deep breath. As she read his message again, her phone rang and her favorite aunt’s face illuminated the screen.
“Hey, Auntie Mack, how are you?”
“I’m good, sweetheart. How are you doing?”
“I’m hangin’ in there.”
“Well, I don’t want to beat around the bush. I called to tell you that I received some information about a location here inCharleston that I think you might be interested in.”
Kendra’s brows shot up. “Oh, really?”
“Yes, I have a feeling you’re really going to love it, and I think it falls within your price point, though, of course, youcan still let me know if you need any assistance. It’s got the kind of space you described in the main room, and there’s aroom in the back that could serve for your supper club. The kitchen is a great size, and there’s even a little hidden spacethat you could use for an office.”
“Wow! Do you have any specs that you can email me?”
“I asked the owner for them and she’s going to give me some more information this coming week. She’s not in a rush and theproperty isn’t listed yet, but she has some feelings about what she hopes the new owner will do or not do with the property.It’s been a family business for a really long time and so she’s just nervous about letting it go, but she and her husbandare retiring and looking to move closer to her grandkids, so she won’t be here much longer—probably just a couple more months.”
“Okay, well, yeah, I would definitely want to consider it and maybe try to get down there to visit and see it.”
“You know you’re always welcome here. If you come down, I would love to see you and spend some time with you.”
“Okay.” Her mind reeled with questions. “Do you happen to know, is it in a historical building?”
“It is. I don’t know the full history of it, but I’m sure she could explain it when you come down.”
“That’s wonderful. It’s definitely something that I’m hoping for and if I do come down, I might actually bring Ben along withme.”
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. “Your brother’s friend BJ?”
“Yeah, you know, he’s a professor in historic preservation and he’s currently on sabbatical doing some research on differenthistorical building sites. This kind of location might actually be right up his alley and help him with what he’s trying toget published next.”
“Uh-huh.” Auntie Mack emphasized each syllable. “Yes, bring him. The more, the merrier.”
“Thank you, Auntie Mack. I really appreciate you letting me know about this.”
“Of course, my darling. I will let you go now. I have some friends that I’m meeting up with for some... spirited conversation.”
Kendra could hear the smile in her aunt’s voice. “By ‘spirited conversation,’ are you saying you and your girlfriends aregoing drinking, Auntie Mack?”
“Something like that,” she chuckled. “Stay out of grown folks’ business.”
“Okay, well, have fun and be safe, please.”
“I will, my darling. I love you.”
“I love you too. Bye-bye.” Kendra disconnected the call, and within seconds her phone rang again.Shonda.
“Hey, girl! How was the nail salon?” Kendra’s voice climbed an octave higher than she intended.
