Her Unexpected Valentine

“Hey, lady.” Nicole gave her a hug. “We were wondering when you would get here.”

“You know how O’Hare airport is,” Kyra said. “If you can make it out of Chicago without any delays, then it’s a pure miracle.”

“Yeah, we get delayed every time we fly out of Chicago,” Aaliyah said. “But we figured you were delayed because of that guy you’re seeing. When Winter called the Miami office a couple weeks ago, she mentioned that he’d begged you to stay in Chicago and not manage the LA pop-up.”

“Oh, he did throw a tantrum,” Kyra said. “I told him he was being ridiculous because I’d only be gone for six weeks, and Nicole is only contracted for four weeks to work on the commercials and documentary, right?”

“Right,” Nicole agreed.

“So, I told him that after four weeks, I could fly back for a visit before finishing the six weeks.”

“What did he say?” Nicole asked.

Kyra rolled her eyes. “That jerk said he didn’t think he could be with someone who wouldn’t consult him before moving to another state. So, I kindly reminded him that he wasn’t important enough to factor into my decision.”

“Kyra,” Aaliyah said. “Weren’t y’all together for eight months?”

“We were. But in that eight months we were only exclusive for three. If he thought three months was enough to trap me, he’s sadly mistaken. Anyway,” she said with a shrug. “I told him the sex wasn’t that good and kicked him out of my apartment.”

“That’s what I’m talking about,” Nicole said, high-fiving Kyra. “Let him know who’s boss. These men think women are fine with settling for bad sex when there is good sex waiting to be had.”

Aaliyah gave them a blank stare. “How in the world did this turn into a conversation about bad versus good sex?”

Nicole placed a hand on Aaliyah’s shoulder. “Girl, you can have all the great conversations in the world, but if he’s bad in bed, all bets are off.”

“Anyway,” Aaliyah said, shaking her head. “Let’s try and finish setting up at least half the boutique today since we open in two days, but won’t have Nicole’s help starting tomorrow.”

“That’s right,” Kyra said. “Miss Big Shot hits the television set tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear all about the cute men on set. I heard LA has some good-looking men if you know where to look.”

“Didn’t you hear?” Aaliyah asked. “Nicole already met an attractive man who spent part of the night at the bar drooling over her.”

“He wasn’t drooling over me,” Nicole said. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Oh, really?” Aaliyah crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell that to all the women at the bar looking at you with envy and the crushed look on Romeo’s face when he saw you talking to KD.”

“Is KD the cute guy?” Kyra asked.

Nicole nodded. “Yes.”

“And who’s Romeo?”

“No one worth mentioning,” Nicole said. “And even though KD has my number, I doubt he’ll use it. Men like him don’t usually call women back.”

Kyra squinted in confusion. “Men like what?”

“You know the type.” Nicole lifted her hands to demonstrate. “Men who look as good as KD have a flock of women waiting for them to shoot attention their way. Hence, he meets a woman and asks for her number because he enjoys the flirtation and wants a bit of a challenge. Once he’s done amusing himself, he goes home, calls one of the many in his herd, and you become the cute woman he met that one night who kept his interest for an hour or two.”

“Wow,” Kyra said. “You got all that from one bar meeting?”

“Sure did. Knowing what type of man he is from the beginning helps ease the disappointment when he doesn’t call. It’s easy for men to ask for your number. The difficult part is actually putting forth the effort to pick up your cell and call the number you worked so hard to get the night before.”

Kyra and Aaliyah shared a look before Aaliyah spoke up. “I told Nicole that she shouldn’t count KD out. Who knows, she may see him again while she’s here.”

“I highly doubt it.” Nicole clasped her hands together. “Come on, let’s finish unloading a few more boxes.”

Just as Nicole went to lift a box, her phone vibrated in her back pocket. When she glanced at the text message, her mouth dropped open. “You’re shitting me.”

Kyra and Aaliyah glanced over her shoulder at the message.

“Is that the guy from last night?” Kyra asked. “The one you just said wouldn’t be contacting you?”

“It is. He wants to know if I’m free for dinner tonight.”

“Say yes,” Aaliyah said. “You know you want to.”

I do want to. That’s the problem. “I’m supposed to be helping you guys set up the shop.”

“We can handle it,” Kyra said. “Tell him yes.”

While she was still contemplating her response, her phone rang. “Oh, my God, he’s calling.”

“Answer it!” Aaliyah said.

“And put him on speaker,” Kyra said. “You’re a terrible flirt, so we’ll coach you.”

Taking a deep breath, Nicole answered and put the call on speaker. “Hello?”

“Hey, Bianca, it’s KD.” Why is his voice so sexy? Nicole giggled when Aaliyah raised an eyebrow and mouthed Bianca.

“Hey, KD. What’s up?” Aaliyah quickly put the phone on mute to tell her friends that she gave KD her middle name as opposed to her first name.

“Nothing much,” he said. “I sent you a message, but then remembered that I told you I’d call you last night before I left the bar. I was hoping I could take you to dinner tonight.”

Nicole bit her bottom lip as Aaliyah and Kyra mouthed the word yes. She unmuted her phone.

“It’s kinda last minute,” she said, ignoring their eye rolls.

“I know,” he replied. “I have a busy week ahead, but I really wanted to take you out on a date. I enjoyed meeting you last night, but our conversation was cut short. I’d love the chance to get to know you more. I could pick you up, as well.”

Nicole smiled when she glanced at Aaliyah, who was making a swoon face. You should just say yes. What’s the harm in one date? “How do I know this is really KD?”

“Seriously,” Aaliyah whispered. “What kind of question is that?”

Now it was time for Nicole to roll her eyes at herself. Oh, how I love that I wasn’t blessed with the art of flirting, she thought sarcastically.

“It’s definitely me, Bianca,” he said in a deep voice. “And I would love to go out with you.”

Okay, enough stalling. “Yeah, I’ll go out with you tonight, but there’s no need to pick me up. Just let me know where we’re having dinner and I’ll meet you there.”