Page 99 of The Dating Prohibition
“Well, I swear the man has multiples ofeverything. I mean, he’s super organized with it, but there’s just so much stuff! You’d think that I need the extra closet space, butit’s gonna be packed with his collectibles and old journals and God knows what else.”
Shonda waved her finger. “You’ve gotta convince him that he doesn’t need all that stuff.”
Kendra side-eyed her. “You’re gonna have to teach me how to do that, because he’s not budging.”
Shonda’s eyebrows bounced. “You’re already equipped for convincing him. He just doesn’t know it yet.”
Kendra cackled. “It’s that easy?”
Her sister-in-law nodded with an evil grin on her face.
“Diabolical,” Lani mumbled.
Kendra stood up as several of her staff entered the room with the next course. “Okay, y’all, we have so much to celebratetonight! We are expecting the first grandchild in the Porter family!”
Everyone cheered, and Logan kissed Shonda’s temple as she rubbed her belly.
“BJ is now officially a tenured professor at the University of South Carolina!”
“What?!” Logan exclaimed. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Ben laughed. “There’s a lot going on, man. I meant to tell you, I swear!”
Kendra held up a pair of keys. “Ben and I are also officially new homeowners! We’re going to start moving in next week.”
The family whooped and hollered. Auntie Mack did a little praise dance before leaning into the arms of Jackson, her beau.
“And we’re so happy to have all of you here with us to help us celebrate the one-year anniversary of Porter Prohibition’sopening!” Ben began to clap and everyone joined in as Kendra clasped her hands together in disbelief. “I can’t believe howquickly time has flown and how well received we’ve been here in Charleston. I wasn’t convinced that Charleston could feelmore like home than DC, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised, and I’m so happy that we’re putting down roots here. I want everybodyto eat, drink, and be merry—Shonda, I’ve got a special mocktail for you—and I want you all to make sure you reserve a littleroom, because I’ve got a very special dessert planned for us.”
Shonda’s face lit up at the mention of dessert, and Kendra exchanged a knowing look with her brother. He’d shared over thephone that her sweet tooth had gained strength since the start of the pregnancy, and she had the perfect treat in mind tosatisfy it—at least for the night.
The celebratory feast continued with many of Shonda’s favorites—Chilean sea bass prepared with Thai basil and chilis, papaya salad, pork adobo with sinangag and a perfect sunny-side up egg, whole fried snapper in panang curry, Filipino-style beef empanadas, and ube pandesal stuffed with cheese. Platters of food were passed family style, the room quiet except for the occasional groan of approval, several dancing in their seats as they ate.
Auntie Al pushed back from the table, her hands on her stomach as she smiled. “You put your foot in this food, Keke! I haveto stop now or I definitely won’t have space for dessert.” Uncle Ronnie grunted next to her, reaching for what was left ofher plate.
“Thank you, Auntie,” Kendra laughed. “I got to teach the cooks some of our family recipes, and we’re putting some fun fusionspins on them for next week’s supper club menu.”
After the grand opening last year, Auntie Al and Uncle Ronnie had pulled Kendra aside to convey how impressed they were withall that she had accomplished. Auntie Mack had been keeping them in the loop with everything that Kendra had done and howhard she’d been working, Mack igniting her sister’s competitive spirit when she mentioned that she’d supplied Kendra witha love gift to help keep her on her feet while the business was in its early days. Not to be outdone, Al and Ronnie matchedthe gift and vowed to come down to visit at least once per quarter to show their support.
Kendra stood to head toward the kitchen. She ran her hand along Ben’s shoulder as she passed him. He caught her hand and tuggedher back.
“Where are you off to?”
“I wanted to help the cooks bring out the dessert.” She’d shared with him what the dessert was, but she hadn’t told him thatshe had a surprise for him as well. She leaned toward his ear and whispered, “I had the cooks make an extra cake for Shondato take home.”
“Logan will say you’re doing God’s work,” he mused, pulling her closer to kiss her lips.
“Those cravings are no joke!” she giggled. “Be right back.”
He nodded, and she disappeared into the kitchen.
“How are we doing back here?”
“We’re ready if you are, Kendra.” Lindsay gestured to a serving cart with two identical cakes on the top tray and a smallerboxed cake on the bottom.
“Everything looksdivine!” Kendra gushed. “Okay, Val, clear any empty plates and, Roman, deliver dessert plates and utensils please.” Both noddedand moved in different directions. “Mel, can you pop the dessert bubbles and sparkling juice? There’s a tray of flutes onthat counter.”
Lindsay grinned at Kendra. “You ready for this?” Lindsay had been Kendra’s first hire—formerly a private chef, she had remarkableinstincts when it came to Kendra’s cooking style, and her suggestions for their regular menu changes ignited Kendra’s creativity.They balanced each other out in the kitchen, and they’d grown close over the past year.
