Her Unexpected Valentine

Thank you to my aunties, Vallerie and Cassandra, for always being there when I need you! As a young girl, I never thought about the fact that my mom’s best friends were always at my birthday parties and special events. It wasn’t until I reached adulthood that I truly began to appreciate that I had two women in my life who loved me like a niece and would do anything to support my dreams and goals. Auntie Vallerie, you and I are alike in so many ways and oftentimes, I feel like even if no one else understands how I feel, you do! Whether it’s a happy dance for no apparent reason or having so much excitement that we can’t even go to bed before a fun event, we’ve always connected on a deeper, emotional level. Auntie Cassandra, I have greatly enjoyed the conversations we’ve had throughout the years about anything from careers and politics, to food recipes and random news. It’s not often that you find someone you can literally talk to about anything under the sun and know that they are as interested in a plethora of topics as you are. You have the unique ability to mix humor with any conversation and I love your positivity.

To two women who mean so much to me, I truly appreciate the love you’ve given me throughout my life. I don’t take it for granted that I can call either one of you at any time and know that you’ll be there. That kind of support is priceless!

Contents

Cover (#u7b5651d6-a77f-565a-b27d-776c67c2800b)

Back Cover Text (#uadcc2339-ff78-5361-a3e0-43dbb613982c)

About the Author (#u525a6241-d11e-5057-a873-67cb229cbc9f)

Booklist (#ue92c3486-cd69-5254-a1af-a19636a25c39)

Title Page (#u144b0893-55ef-5fe1-a3d0-6864beafdb15)

Copyright (#u342ec1e7-4bb4-5e61-a570-dca63537a932)

Introduction (#ue2add1db-88da-51af-b532-0cd0d0104fdb)

Dear Reader (#ue9e81b46-7f81-5763-b528-e1e2a720b04c)

Dedication (#ube21d216-33e6-51d8-be34-2ef7873f6478)

Acknowledgments (#u96d4ca52-dddc-5582-8731-79ddc7c7dd6e)

Chapter 1 (#u7a8676bd-5012-5c84-81a7-da1206dd69f8)

Chapter 2 (#ucc4eb862-ee52-5bb5-9544-fc456dc86976)

Chapter 3 (#uf1584222-6c3d-5563-80aa-1afcb4f210b9)

Chapter 4 (#u94c375e3-9340-5307-880d-622f1452e7f3)

Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 1 (#ue7ca70ca-2be2-527b-b728-d7d0622e299d)

“Baby, was that an earthquake I just felt? Because when you looked my way, I swear you rocked my world.”

Nicole LeBlanc cringed when the man wearing entirely too much cologne got a little too close to her personal space. She took a step closer to her friend Aaliyah Bai, who was trying to contain her laughter.

“They call me Romeo,” the man said as he ran his tongue across his teeth.

“Of course they do,” Nicole said sarcastically.

“I bet your lips have been lonely waiting for me to walk across the bar,” he continued. “I saw the way you were looking at me.”

Nicole rolled her eyes as she downed the rest of her drink. It never ceased to amaze her that the sleaziest of men always seemed to approach her when she was out at a bar. Granted, a bar wasn’t the ideal place to find a decent man, but come on. Why did she have to attract the slimy guys?

Nicole turned to face the man. “Listen, buddy, since I’m feeling generous today, I’m going to give you five seconds as opposed to three to get the hell away from me.”

“Damn, you’re feisty.” His eyes brightened, and he placed his unwanted hand on her shoulder. “I can only imagine how you’ll be in the bedroom.”

Time’s up. “You’ll never find out,” Nicole said as she grabbed his thumb and twisted the way she’d learned in her self-defense classes.

“Shit, baby, that hurts,” he whined. Nicole twisted his thumb a little more to prove her point, satisfied when the flirtation left his eyes and was replaced with pain.

“I was just trying to give you a compliment,” he said, shaking the hurt from his thumb when she let go. “Females these days are crazy.”

When he walked away, Aaliyah finally released the laughter she’d been holding in. “It’s only our first night being in LA, and already you’ve almost brought a grown man to tears. Not sure his horrible idea of flirting was worth you almost breaking his thumb off.”

“I didn’t apply enough pressure to break off his thumb,” Nicole said. “He was just being a wimp. I mean, who calls himself Romeo anyway?”

“Oh, my goodness,” Aaliyah said. “Hollywood isn’t ready for you.”

Nicole smiled as she ordered another drink. “I hope I’m ready for Hollywood.”