Page 90 of The Dating Prohibition
Lani nodded. “Hopefully, he is able to make it and you two can talk. I still think there’s stuff to be discussed.”
“I don’t know about all that.” Kendra glanced at her warily. “I think it’s pointless. If the man isn’t ready, there’s nothingwe can do to help him get there. He’s got to get there on his own, and who knows when that will be?”
“But maybe he doesn’t completelyknowwhether he’s ready or not. There’s no way to know that for sure unless you two talk about it.”
“Well, that is not a conversation I intend to initiate, so good luck with that.”
Lani sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. “Whatever. We’re gonna get you past these fears.”
“I’m not afraid. I just...” She searched for the right words. “I just want things to be situated in a way where there’sno question that we both want it. I don’t want someone doing something just because they’re trying to make me happy if itmeans they won’t be.”
“What if he is sure?”
“Then he would have to tell me that and we could consider it at that time. And in the meantime, I’m not holding my breath.Now, we need to take a selfie so that I can post all these things to Instagram, because you know the whole family’s followingto see the progress.”
“Right.” Lani rested an elbow on Kendra’s shoulder and held up a peace sign as they both grinned at the camera.
“Perfect.”
The next couple of days were a blur. At home, Kendra spent time ordering and confirming deliveries for furniture, decor,paper supplies, dishware, and flatware. Her head was spinning as the tallies rose, but she was grateful because Auntie Mackhad been extremely observant in watching all of what Kendra was taking on and had dropped off a love gift that brought Kendrato tears. When her aunt presented her with the check, she sobbed like a baby, ugly crying, her heart filled to the brim.
Lani, to her credit, had been a godsend in keeping the construction workers on task and Kendra fed while she tackled a listof never-ending orders, set a launch date, and sent invitations to all of their friends and family, BJ included.
“I think we thought of everything,” she sighed as Lani plopped down on the couch next to her.
“You know, you have a whole office. You don’t have to sit here on the couch working.”
“I know, but it’s comfortable here and you’ve been hanging out here. And the office isn’t fully furnished yet, so there isn’tan extra chair for you to hang with me in there.”
Lani cracked up. “True. I really am gonna miss you.”
“Don’t remind me,” Kendra whined.
“I know, but I’ll be back soon.” Lani’s suitcase sat near the front door. They were awaiting the car service arrival to takeher to the airport.
“I know I’m just being selfish but there’s no way we’d be so close to launch without the help you’ve given me these last fewweeks. I can’t believe how quickly all of this came together.”
“I really can’t take credit—it came together fast because you had a vision and my mom happens to know the right people in town who are about their business.”
Kendra nodded. “She really does. And I was completely stunned at her gift.”
“Why? She told you she wanted to help.”
“She did, but I didn’t think she was gonna go so big. It was beyond generous.”
“Kenny, you have to know that you’re worth it. To all of us.”
Kendra choked back tears. “I know that I really shouldn’t be this surprised, but it’s a lot.”
“Well, uh, because I am that cousin that happens to spoil things for people, I’m gonna tell you to just mentally prepare yourselfbecause more is coming.”
“What?” Kendra exclaimed. “What’s coming? And from whom? My parents?”
“Don’t worry about that. Just start practicing how you’re going to fix your face to be surprised and grateful. Gifts are ablessing. So no more trying to argue about them or negotiate them down because you think it’s too much. You don’t block blessings,because they were meant for you, hear?”
“Okay. You had to take me to church before you left, cuz?”
“Somebody should, you heathen.” Lani elbowed her cousin in the ribs.
