Page 82 of The Dating Prohibition
“Knock, knock,” BJ called, leading the way as Stanley followed him. Both carried a bottle of wine in each hand, which Shondastepped forward to accept.
“Hey, how’s it going?” Kendra watched as Stanley wrapped his arms around Lani, her face turning bright red as he kissed hertemple.
“How areyou, Stanley?” Kendra called, making it very clear that she was watching what was going on.
Logan chuckled next to her. “Have you talked to BJ?” he asked quietly.
“Not yet.” She looked away, wiping her hands with a paper towel. “It’s just, I haven’t had anything to say.”
“You’re gonna have to face him at some point.”
“I hear you,” Kendra replied with a nod. “Okay, folks, make a plate and come sit. Looks like we’ve got plenty of wine. I’vegot spirits. Tell me if you want a cocktail—I can make something real quick. Anyway, I would love for us to just relax andenjoy some food and company while we have the time.”
Everybody nodded and proceeded to help themselves to the feast. Shonda winked at Kendra. “I’ll take one of your dirty martinis.”
“You want gin or vodka?”
“Whatever you prefer.” Shonda shrugged.
Kendra smiled slyly. “Gin it is.”
“Same for me!” Lani chimed in.
“Logan?”
“I’m good with scotch.” He grabbed his bottle of choice as Stanley scoured the wine bottles.
“I actually have this really great sparkling sauvignon blanc from New Zealand,” Kendra offered.
Stanley tilted his head. “Huh. Never heard of that, but I’ll try it.”
“It’s tasty. I found it at this local wine bar.” She smiled as Stanley nodded.
“BJ, what will you have?”
“Just some bourbon. Neat, please.” His gravelly tone made her bite her lip.
She met his gaze and it pulled her in like a magnet—his eyes searching hers, sending messages, asking for time alone. Hisheated stare dropped to her lips and roamed her face as if he studied each of its features. She hesitated before turning away.“Let me get these drinks started.”
She mixed the martinis and skewered olives stuffed with garlic. After pouring BJ’s bourbon, she began to set drinks aroundthe plates. “I think I will have a glass of what Stanley’s having,” Kendra announced, and he poured the wine into matchingtulip glasses.
“Oh my god, you make the best lumpia,” Lani moaned, her mouth full. “And did you make this chili sauce? It’s different.” She dragged her half-eaten roll of fried goodness throughthe sauce and popped the rest of it in her mouth, giving a little shimmy of approval.
Kendra giggled. “Yeah, I wanted to do my own take on a sweet chili sauce, so I just changed it a little bit––it has a littleadded lemon juice and a teeny bit of Sichuan peppercorn. I’m glad you like it.”
Logan sampled a bite. “It is nice.”
“This jambalaya is everything!” Shonda exclaimed. “I don’t know how you and your mom do it, but I can never get it quite right.”
“We all have secrets.” Kendra winked.
She sat at the head of the table while Logan was at the other end. As he ate, he watched her carefully, waiting. He knew herwell enough to know there was a reason for the dinner.
Stanley and Lani were in their own world, sitting next to each other, whispering and nudging each other as they sampled thefood. Shonda sat to Logan’s right and BJ sat between Shonda and Kendra.
“This is really good,” BJ agreed. “And thanks for making the extra proteins.”
I made those for you.Color built in her cheeks as she stared down at her plate. She’d been pushing a slice of julienned andouille back and forthacross her plate. “Of course,” she said quietly without looking up.
