Page 98 of The Dating Prohibition
“Where are you going?”
“Weare gonna go take a shower. Gotta get cleaned up. Or actually, wanna take a bath?”
He’d eyed her big soaking tub when she gave him the tour. “Yes, ma’am.” His wicked smile made her shriek as she rushed intothe bathroom, squealing.
Chapter 26
One Year Later
“Hi, we’re a part of tonight’s supper club.” Logan stood at the hostess stand outside the private dining room at Porter Prohibition.
“What’s the password?” Kendra cracked a smile at her brother.
“Really, Keke...”
“It’s Kendra, and you have to abide by the rules, or you don’t gain entrance,” she said matter-of-factly.
“I came all the way here to celebrate your one-year anniversary, and this is how you do me?”
“Surely this is not that difficult, bro.”
“I know you came up with this wack-ass password just because you wanted to hear me say it.” Logan rolled his eyes and pursedhis lips until Shonda nudged him. “Fine, but it’s the only time you’ll ever hear me say this.”
Kendra crossed her arms over her chest as Shonda snickered. “I’m waiting.”
He blew out a breath. “Little sisters rule.”
Kendra stepped aside, sliding the barn door open to reveal the rest of their family and close friends. “Welcome to the supperclub,” she quipped, before cackling and hugging her brother tightly.
“You couldn’t think of anything more creative?” Logan grumbled.
“Come on, Mr. Big Time. Y’all are getting featured in magazines as the next big thing—the top Black-owned restaurant in theDMV! Surely you had to know that we can’t let your head get too big. Gotta stay humble.”
“Yeah, whatever,” he muttered, half smiling and giving her a squeeze. “It’s good to see you.”
“Always. And how is my little niece or nephew?” Kendra reached for Shonda’s belly, which was just barely beginning to show.
Shonda beamed, reaching for her sister-in-law. “Hungry and sleepy.”
“Well, you’re in for a treat!” Kendra gave them a squeeze and walked them inside as her staff began to deliver an amuse-boucheto everyone.
“Hey, you finally made it!” Ben ambled forward from speaking with Kendra’s parents to clap his best friend on the back.
“Yeah, we would have been here sooner, butsomeone’sbladder required constant stops...” Logan teased his wife.
Shonda shrugged playfully. “Eventually, I’ll blame the baby, but for now, I blame you.”
“At any rate, you made it safely, and that’s what we care about.” Kendra squeezed Shonda’s hand. “I’m so glad y’all are here.We have so much to catch up on! Come on, you’re sitting with Lani and me.”
Shonda’s creamy brown skin glowed. “Yes, girl time!” She clapped.
Kendra winked at Ben. “We’ll leave you two to your bromance.” She led Shonda to a seat between her and Lani, allowing family members to make their way over to greet her between courses.
“So, how are things?” Shonda spoke between chews, her mouth stuffed with peanut noodles served with garlic and chili shrimp.
Kendra had decided to make a bunch of Shonda’s favorites in honor of the new addition to the family she was carrying. “Amazing!We just received the keys to the new house and have beentryingto consolidate our belongings, but I never realized how much of a hoarder he was.”
“BJ? A hoarder?” Lani whispered conspiratorially. “That’s tea.”
