Page 85 of The Dating Prohibition
“Uh, sure.” He followed her toward the kitchen, and she reached for the bourbon on top of the fridge.
“Neat still?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
She took a deep breath as she poured a generous serving. “Listen, I just want you to know that there are no hard feelings.I understand that you have things that you need to work out before you might be ready for something. And that’s completelyfair and valid. I don’t hold it against you. I wish—” She took a deep breath. “Ben, I wish you had been ready, because I thinkthat we could have had something really great.”
He remained silent, expressionless as he watched her and listened.
“I know you’ve still got your research to do and you’re not done, but I hope if you are able to that you’ll come down andvisit for the launch.”
He nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.” They stood therestaring at each other, his hands in his pockets, Kendra’s arms hanging as she clenched and unclenched her fists.
All she wanted was to step into his arms and have him wrap them around her.
But it just wasn’t meant to be.
BJ blew a breath out his nose and opened his mouth to say something, but Kendra beat him to it.
“You know, Ben, I’m sorry. Your boundaries are there for the best and I wouldn’t want someone to be with me because they feltpressured into it. When I finally do get my person, I don’t want there to be any question. I want them to feel certain they’rewith the person that they want to be with.”
BJ opened and closed his mouth, raking his hand over his hair before he accepted the drink from Kendra. “Thanks,” he saidgruffly. “And congratulations. You’re making your dreams come true.”
“One of them.” She smiled sadly.
Chapter 22
“Remind me again why you couldn’t take your time and hire movers like a normal person?” Lani grimaced and struggled, tryingto shove one last box into the back of Kendra’s car. “Girl, I’m sorry, but I was never good atTetris. You gon’ have to get this one.”
Kendra rolled her eyes and stepped next to her cousin, taking the box from her. “I know it’s sudden, but I just felt likeI needed to get out of here. Plus, getting down there earlier lets the owners move on with their plans. Why make them waitif there’s nothing keeping me here?”
Lani nodded in understanding.
“I really appreciate you coming with me.”
Lani had officially been made assistant manager of PALATE, but she asked to put the promotion on hold until she got Kendrasituated. Logan agreed in a heartbeat.
“There was never a question. It was always gonna happen, cuz. I can’t leave you by yourself, plus I get to come check on Mom.”
“Yeah, but I just really appreciate it. I know I’m going outon my own and all that stuff, but I am nervous and it means so much to have your support.”
“You’re always gonna have my support, cousin. And honestly, I’d be moving back with you if Stanley and I weren’t a thing now.”Lani’s cheeks tinted as she laced her fingers together.
“So, you think it’s gonna get serious?”
Lani’s face went from pink to red in seconds. “It’s definitely looking like it could.”
Kendra squealed. “I knew that there was a possibility, and I was hoping that y’all would. Oh, this makes me so happy,” shegushed.
“Yeah, it feels really natural with him. Easy. I look forward to spending time with him or just talking to him. I think it’seasier since we’ve known him for so long.”
Kendra nodded. “I’m excited for you! He’s such a good guy.”
“He is and he’s loyal and sweet and really funny. I know he’s quiet around the group, but he’s such an introvert. He justkind of chameleons up and blends into the background,” she giggled. “But when we’re alone, he talks his head off.”
“Really?!” Kendra exclaimed. “I kind of wish we could witness that at some point.”
“I think he’ll get there eventually. He’s one of the newest to the friend group, even though he’s been around a while at thispoint. I think he was still finding his sea legs, but especially if he’s with me, he’s a part of the family, so he’ll feeleven more settled in pretty quickly.”
