Page 87 of The Dating Prohibition
As she opened the door, Logan shouted after her. “Call me if you need me!”
“Always.”
As they got on the road, Lani played some of their favorite music for their own personal singing tour. She brought back MariahCarey and Whitney Houston from some of their favorite early albums before leaning into Jazmine Sullivan and Jill Scott.
By the time they made it to North Carolina, they were ready for a stop and to stretch their legs. “Wow, we’re making goodtime, Kendra. I’m really surprised.”
“I don’t know why you would be. I don’t exactly have a lead foot, but I’m not trying to dawdle.”
“Oh my god, you sound like your mother.”
“Oh shut up, I do,” Kendra groaned.
Lani snickered. “Have you talked to BJ?”
“No, we haven’t talked since the dinner. Things have been radio silent. I can’t tell if he’s mad at me or what, but I can’tfocus on him right now.”
Lani nodded. “Understood.”
“Why do you ask?” Kendra’s eyes narrowed.
“I mean... all the guys talk.”
“So you heard something from Stanley?”
Lani nodded. “I think he’s pretty miserable.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Stanley said he and Logan went to check on him one day, and he looked kind of rough. He hadn’t shaven, and he looked likehe wasn’t sleeping well. They couldn’t get him to go out, so they just hung out at his place and ordered some pizza.”
“Interesting,” Kendra mumbled. She ran her hand over her hair, fluffing her ponytail—a cloud of curls in her rearview. Alump formed in her throat with the possibility that he could feel even a fraction of what she felt, but she pushed it down before the thought could consume her. “Well, let’s run inside real quick so we can get back on the road.”
“Bet.”
As they exited the car, she pictured Ben with his normal stoic face. It was hard for her to imagine him down, and she didn’twant to be the cause, but she could feel that same wavelength. It was silly of her, but she sometimes imagined him decidingto pick up and come with her. But of course, that wasn’t in the cards. He had a highly coveted tenured position at a DC university.She locked up the car and straightened her shoulders as they headed inside.
“Oh look, this place has a coffee bar,” Lani whispered.
“Perfect. I could use some more caffeine,” Kendra said, her shaky voice betraying her mask.
Lani wrapped an arm around Kendra’s waist and Kendra leaned her head on her cousin’s shoulder.
Kendra’s brave face began to crumble as a tear slid down her cheek.
“I’ve got you, cuz,” Lani whispered into her hair as she squeezed her. “I’ve got you.”
“We made it. Home sweet home,” Kendra sighed. She and Lani had just pulled up to a charming duplex three streets down fromAuntie Mack. Though Auntie Mack had offered for her to stay at her house, Kendra felt certain that she would be coming andgoing at all hours—her anxiety keeping her up at night––and she didn’t want to wake her aunt or disturb her rest, so she foundan apartment nearby.
“You really could have stayed at the house. Mom wouldn’t have minded,” Lani chided, looking up at the house. The large wraparound porch had two front doors—Kendra’s was on theleft, and her neighbor’s was on the right. Both of their units were trilevel housing. The main living space included the living room, kitchen, dining room, a small office and a powder room. Upstairs were two bedrooms, and in the basement was plenty of space with a kitchenette. Kendra planned to use part of it as storage for her business.
“I think this is gonna work well. And it gives me another layer of autonomy so that I don’t freak your mom out if I’m cominghome at two in the morning.”
“No, I get you. I wouldn’t want to scare her or worry her either, and I know she appreciates that you’re being so thoughtful.”
“She’s already done so much, and I’m super grateful for everything.”
Lani nodded. “She knows, believe me. But she’s so proud of you.”
