Page 7 of The Dating Prohibition

pride on their faces. Uncle Ronnie bobbed his head sporadically, his kindhearted smile encouraging her to continue.

Shonda pushed her glass over toward Lani. “She made this as one of her signature cocktails. Bourbon old-fashioned with a charred

orange peel and a s’more with a homemade orange marshmallow.”

“Ooo.” Lani lifted the other half of the s’more to take a bite and then sipped the old-fashioned, her eyes bugging out of

her head. “Kendra, you’re gonna have to make a couple more of these.”

“Right?” Shonda laughed. “We might have to do a preopening toast before we let folks come in tomorrow.”

Logan watched his wife with amusement. “And pour all of our good liquor? Everyone needs to start a tab when they clock in

tomorrow,” he teased.

Kendra pointed to the cocktail. “While I was traveling abroad, I took some mixology classes and met with some sommeliers. I’ve been putting a lot of thought and effort into getting everything just right.

At home, I’ve got a full proposal with figures and sample menus that I can show you.

I’m fusing different parts of our cultural cuisine into the courses—Creole, soul food, Thai, Filipino.

All of those read as comfort foods to me, and I want to honor the ingredients of those cuisines with these dinners.

Similarly, I want to bring different ideas together when it comes to cocktails––hence the s’mores old-fashioned, though I’ve got some others I’d love for y’all to try.

“And that’s why the dining experience will be special and the seating is limited—it’s like a pop-up restaurant that has a

brick-and-mortar location hidden behind a modern take on a Prohibition lounge.” Kendra bit her lip as she glanced around the

table. Shonda gave her a thumbs-up, and Lani mouthed to her that she’d done a good job. Her parents beamed, as did Auntie

Mack. Auntie Al was stoic as ever. BJ winked at her and offered her a quick nod of encouragement.

A twinge of something stirred in Kendra’s chest, and she looked down at the table, clearing her throat. She took a sip of

water before turning toward her uncle. Her breathing shallowed as she waited, her hands fidgeting under the table until Lani

reached out and held them.

Uncle Ronnie steepled his fingertips, his elbows resting on the table. “Well, it does sound like an interesting concept,”

he started. “I’m just worried that with such limited seating, you won’t garner enough revenue to turn a profit. The bar concept

is interesting and could be successful, but I think the supper club would be a drain. Would you consider opening just the

bar?”

Kendra’s heart dropped. “I really don’t want to do that. I think the concepts go hand in hand, and the exclusivity of the

dining experience can help drive the cost and eventually justify adding a second seating. In my mind, we’d start smaller and

build. My research shows me that pop-up-style restaurants can be profitable because there’s less overhead and because of the

frequency of the menu changes.”

“Do you have numbers to show me?” Ronnie’s face was all business.

Her mouth went slack as her eyes darted around the table for help.

“I didn’t know we were going to have this conversation today!

I have everything at home, but I just didn’t anticipate that we’d be talking about this before the launch.

I could run home and get it to walk you through everything. ” Her eyes pleaded.

Her uncle turned to Logan. “What do you think of the proposal? I’m assuming you’ve seen it?”

Logan sat back in his chair. “I haven’t, but Kendra knows her stuff. She’s always been one to overprepare. You know data is

her thing, so she’d never skimp on research.”

I hate that they talk about me like I’m not here. But at least Logan has my back... The silence that followed was loud and had everyone squirming in their seats. “Seriously, I can just run home right quick.”

Ronnie pressed his lips together and shook his head. “Sorry, kiddo, it doesn’t seem to me that there’s enough fully formed

for me to consider this. But keep putting together your business plan with as much of the financial projections as you can,

the price points for your drinks, your tasting menu, any wine pairings, and be really honest about your projected overhead

and anticipated patronage. It’s completely possible that you’ll be able to get a bank business loan.”

Kendra’s shoulders slumped, and she tried to keep her emotions from broadcasting over her face. She already had all of those

pieces together, but he was acting like she was unprepared simply because she hadn’t planned to bogart her brother’s prelaunch

dinner to talk about her own venture. I just need a chance. “I understand. I’ll try that route.”

BJ tilted his head, studying her face before he mouthed, Okay? She bit her lip and nodded, but she knew he saw right through her brave face.

Shonda patted Kendra’s leg and rose from the table to go back to the kitchen and check on the cooking staff with the Porters, Lani, and Auntie Al in tow. Uncle Ronnie followed BJ to peruse the bottles he had been unboxing.

Logan reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll help you with your plan. Let’s go over it together,” he offered quietly.

“There’s something to this concept that makes me think it’s gonna work.”

She looked at him for a long moment. “Thank you, brother,” she whispered. They stood, and she wrapped her arms around the

side of his waist. “You’re the best.”

“Come on. Show me some of the other potential drinks we can steal from you for our specials tomorrow,” he teased, laughing

mischievously.

“You got it. There are a couple that are less sweet that I think you’d approve of,” she said, following him around the bar.

“And I made a few different simple syrups for us to test out.”

He smiled wryly. “Always prepared.”

“I try, anyway.” She exhaled her frustration, closing her eyes to center herself.

“Hey, it’s going to work out.” Her brother nudged her.

Kendra’s eyes rounded as she looked at her brother, her gaze blurring from the moisture threatening to fall. “But what if

it doesn’t?” she whispered. Footsteps nearing caught her attention, and she glanced quickly to see who was approaching. BJ.

He probably wants to check on me. God, I don’t want him to see me like this. She turned toward her brother, who signaled that they needed a minute.

Logan paused for a beat. “Hey...” His face softened.

“What if I can’t do this?” she breathed.

He squeezed her arm so she’d look him in the eye. “Nope, we don’t do that. You know better than that, Keke. There’s no can’t just like there’s no giving up. You can and you will. It only takes one yes. Don’t give up on your dream.”

She nodded, tossing her head back and waving her hands to will her tears not to fall. “You’re right.” She held back a sob.

“I know you’re right.”

Logan handed her a cocktail napkin. “When are you gonna learn, sis? I’m always right.” He gave her his playful, tight-lipped

smile as she took in a deep breath and relaxed.

She rolled her eyes at him. “You know sometimes you really can be insufferable.”

“That’s the cross I bear as an older brother,” he chuckled. “Now, let’s see about these cocktails.”