Her Unexpected Valentine

by Sherelle Green

  Kendrick was a sucker for a lady in some sexy shoes, and the strappy heeled boots Bianca was wearing caused his imagination to run wild.

  “You look beautiful,” he said when she approached. He then stood up and leaned in for a hug.

  “Thank you,” Bianca said, returning his hug. “You look nice, too.” The temperature was a little chillier than what he was used to in California, so he’d chosen to wear a dark gray sweater and jeans.

  “Thank you.” Remembering that the waitress was at the table, they took a seat and ordered drinks.

  “I know Sunday night is a weird time for a date, but I appreciate you accepting.”

  “It’s no biggie,” she said. “I needed something to keep my mind off my big day tomorrow.”

  Kendrick took a sip of his water. “Big presentation?”

  “I wish,” she said with a laugh. “It’s my first day at a new job, and I’m a little nervous.”

  “Don’t be,” Kendrick said, shaking his head. “I know we just met, but I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

  “Thanks.” The waitress returned with their drinks, and they placed their order for dinner.

  “So, let me ask you something,” she said. “Was that guy, I believe his name was Bryant, really your cousin?”

  “Yeah, he is.” Kendrick smiled. “He’s not too much of a people person, so myself and some of our friends are often apologizing for things that he says.”

  She took a sip of her drink, causing Kendrick to advert his eyes from hers to stare at her lips. She was wearing a bright burgundy-colored lipstick, and the color immediately reminded him of red velvet cake.

  “What’s that look for?” she asked.

  He met her eyes. “What look?”

  “The one you’re giving my mouth right now.”

  Kendrick laughed harder than he meant to. “Do you always say whatever you’re thinking?”

  “Pretty much,” she said with a smile. “My grandmother always tells me that I don’t have a filter. It probably annoys her at times, but it’s just how I am.”

  “I think it’s refreshing,” Kendrick said. “I appreciate honesty. For me, I’d rather someone keep it real than lie to make me feel better.”

  “Exactly, but I’m a work in progress,” she said. “It’s more difficult to be honest depending on the person. For example, I can be honest with some of my friends, but then I have other friendships that I can’t be as honest with. And relationships are the worst, but I’m sure this isn’t a topic I should bring up on a first date.”

  “You can bring up whatever you want around me. There aren’t too many topics that I’m not willing to talk about.”

  “Oh, really.” She smiled.

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  He glanced down at her necklace. “Does your necklace have any meaning behind it?”

  “It’s actually a crystal.” She gently ran her fingers across the stone. “The onyx is good for protection and healing.”

  “That’s interesting,” he said. “My mom likes wearing crystals and stones, as well. Did you choose to wear it tonight because it went with your outfit or because you needed to feel the energy from it?”

  She opened her mouth to respond just as their food arrived. For a few moments, they ate in comfortable silence.

  “A little bit of both.”

  Kendrick swallowed his food before responding. “What do you mean?”

  She glanced at him over the glass of wine she sipped. “I wore this crystal because it matched my outfit, and I also wore it because of its energy. Not that this has anything to do with you, but the last real date I went on was with my ex. Let’s just say that the relationship was great in the beginning, but ended horribly. In a way, I guess I’m still healing from it.”

  “I understand completely,” Kendrick said. “My last relationship was full of lies and betrayal. On her end, not mine. I learned some valuable lessons because of that experience.”

  “Like what?”

  Kendrick thought about his relationship with two of his exes. “I learned more lessons than I can even remember right now, but one of the biggest was that I will never date someone I work with.”

  “I hear you,” she said, shaking her head. “I used to work with my ex before I started my own business and partnered with a few friends. Before that, I had to see him all the time. Even worse, it seemed like all the people we worked with were in our business.”

  “It’s a feeling I don’t wish on anyone,” Kendrick said. “And for me, it’s happened more than once, so I now have strict rules against mixing business with pleasure.”

  She smiled. “Then I guess we should be glad that we don’t work together.”

  “We should,” he said with a laugh. “And be thankful I didn’t ask to see your résumé to confirm that we never would in the future.”

  “Can you do hair and makeup?” she asked.

  Kendrick shook his head. “I can do my hair, but you don’t want me to try and do a makeup tutorial. Are you a graphic or creative designer of any kind?”

  “Not at all,” she said with a laugh. “I’m not horrible at drawing, but I much prefer to creatively make up faces and eccentric hairstyles than try to design anything.”

  “Then we’re good,” Kendrick said, clasping his hands together. “Now we can plan the rest of our lives together without any issues.”

  She laughed so hard that the waitress came over to ask if everything was okay. In other words, they needed to be quieter so that they wouldn’t disturb others who were eating.

  Once her laughter died down, she continued eating. Kendrick observed her, wanting to know more about her, but not wanting to seem too nosy. He wasn’t sure what it was about her, but she intrigued him more than other women had lately. At times she seemed so transparent, and other times she was hard to interpret.

  Conversation through the rest of dinner flowed smoothly. As the night neared its end, Kendrick almost hated to say goodbye, but he needed to get to sleep too. She wasn’t the only one with a busy workday ahead.

  “Thanks for having dinner with me tonight,” he said as they approached her car, which was parked down the street from the restaurant.

  “You’re welcome.” She turned to face him. “Thanks for asking me out.”

  “It was my pleasure.” Kendrick studied her eyes, wondering if a good-night kiss was out of the question since this was their first date. “You mentioned that you’re starting a new job, but I’d love to take you out again next weekend if you’re free.”

  Her lips widened into a smile. “I think I’d like that.” Her eyes briefly dropped to his lips and had he not been paying attention, he would have missed the longing reflected in her eyes.

  He watched the rise and fall of her chest, wanting desperately to see how her lips tasted. What’s the worst that can happen? Just one kiss and I’ll be satisfied...at least for tonight.

  Kendrick bent his head toward hers as she stood on her tiptoes, awaiting his kiss. When their lips were centimeters apart, the loud rumble of thunder caused her to jump back from him.

  “I forgot it was supposed to rain,” he said. “With this drought, all of LA and surrounding areas have been waiting for this storm.”

  She smiled. “Then I guess we should call it a night.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Have a good night, KD.”

  “You too. I’ll call you in a couple days with plans for our next date.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Kendrick watched her get into her vehicle just as the first raindrops began to fall. He was still looking in the direction of her car after it was out of sight. It had been more than a year since he’d had such a good and relaxing time with a woman, and whether she knew it yet or not, he planned on seeing a lot more of her.

  Chapter 3

  �
�Kendrick, come over here for a second.”

  Kendrick walked over to where his friends Monty and Angelica were standing. “What’s up?” he asked as he approached the group.

  “Who do you think is more talented... Viola Davis or Taraji P. Henson?”

  Kendrick shook his head. “Another debate?”

  “Yeah, man,” Monty said. “Ange always thinks she’s right.”

  Angelica smirked. “That’s because I usually am.”

  Monty threw his hands in the air. “See what I mean?”

  “I don’t know, you guys. They are both amazing actresses.”

  “We know that, but you have to have an opinion on it,” Monty said. “It’s a simple question. Which one is more talented?”

  “Kendrick, if you don’t answer, Monty will never let me get back to work.”

  Kendrick laughed, knowing what Angelica said was true. He’d worked with Monty and Angelica in the movie industry for the past six years. They all belonged to The Gilbert Monroe Agency as did most of the crew. Although Kendrick was a creative director, Angelica was a visual effects editor and Monty was a cameraman, they were lucky enough to have been placed on several projects together.

  Most recently, they’d each specifically been requested by a major client to do a series of Valentine’s Day commercials that would tie into the promotion of a documentary on the true meaning of love.

  “I guess if I had to answer, both are fierce and leaving a mark in Hollywood.”

  Monty sighed. “That’s not an answer, Kendrick.”

  “Well, it’s the best one I got.”

  A voice sounded on the intercom. “Meeting in ten in the main galley.”

  “Let’s go now and make sure we get a seat,” Angelica said. Kendrick couldn’t help but be excited for this meeting since he was itching to get back on set. He hadn’t worked on a commercial since before the Christmas holiday.

  Whenever he had too much free time on his hands, he tended to do something reckless. And by reckless, he meant he had a tendency to occupy his time with the wrong type of women.

  But Bianca was definitely the right type of woman. She was funny, beautiful, had a great—yet edgy—personality. However, she wasn’t the type of woman he needed to see again. Kendrick had made a vow to focus solely on his career in hopes of landing a director role before the fall. He didn’t have time to date around, especially a woman like Bianca.

  Unfortunately, he doubted he could stay away from her. She was the type of woman he always imagined he could be with. He’d been immediately drawn to her when he met her at the bar, and their date last night exceeded his expectations. He realized that he was getting more attached than he probably should.

  Another date won’t hurt. Although he didn’t have any time to seriously date, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get to know her more. One could argue that he was thinking too much about the situation, but he’d have to disagree. If anything, he wasn’t thinking enough given all he’d been through with women in the past couple years.

  “Look, I spot some seats.” Kendrick followed Angelica and Monty to three open seats in the corner of the room.

  “Hey, you never did tell me why you missed poker night yesterday,” Monty said.

  “I wasn’t aware that I had to give you a rundown of my schedule when I cancel,” Kendrick said with a laugh. “But if you must know, I had a date.”

  Angelica rolled her eyes. “An actual date or a booty call?”

  “An actual date.” Kendrick smiled as he thought about the flushed look on Bianca’s face last night when they’d almost kissed.

  “I’d say it was a very good date given that smile on your face,” Angelica said. “What about all your nondating rules and avoiding love until you land a lead director role?”

  “I still plan on sticking to my plan. A few harmless dates won’t hurt.”

  “A few?” Monty asked. “One date and you’re already planning on seeing her again? This isn’t the Kendrick I know.”

  “Very funny.” Kendrick shrugged. “I don’t know, man. It’s something about her that’s different. She has this no bullshit attitude that’s kinda refreshing. She says whatever is on her mind without caring what others may think.”

  “You got all this from one date?” Angelica asked.

  “Well, technically we hung out the first night we met, so I guess it’s more like two dates.”

  “Two dates and Mr. Dodge Cupid’s Arrow is already planning on more dates.” Angelica gave Monty a knowing look. “Monty, I think working on these Valentine’s Day commercials is going to his head.”

  “It’s not that big of a deal,” he said. “I’m just open to enjoying the company of a woman, that’s all. Nothing serious.”

  “So, I take it she doesn’t work in the industry?” Monty asked. If there were any two people who worked in television who knew the drama he’d gone through with his ex, it was his two friends Monty and Angelica.

  “She didn’t say what she did specifically, but I know it has to do with makeup and hair because she mentioned enjoying making up faces and designing hairstyles.”

  Angelica lifted an eyebrow. “And you didn’t ask to see her résumé just to be sure?”

  “I actually said she was lucky that I didn’t ask for it,” Kendrick said with a laugh. “So, no, I didn’t ask. Guys, I’m better than I used to be. Bianca and I just enjoyed one another as two people would on any first date. Nothing more.”

  “Except that you want to see her again,” Monty said.

  “Which says a lot, considering your past,” Angelica added. Voices in the front of the room interrupted their conversation.

  “As much as I enjoy meeting up with women in my black book, it feels nice to go on a date again,” Kendrick whispered. “And this is LA, so the fact that she’s not from here and not in the television or film industry is a good thing.”

  “Okay, everyone,” the producer said to the crew gathered in the packed room. “As most of you know, we’re running behind schedule with filming the commercials. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so we only have four weeks to finish shooting the remainder of the Valentine’s Day commercials and documentary to get them out before the holiday. That is not a lot of time, so be prepared to work overtime.”

  Movement on the right side of the room got his attention as someone slid through the door, but too many people were standing for him to see who it was.

  “Thank you for all your hard work so far on both projects, and now I’d like to introduce you to the new members of our team who will be filling in for the crew we lost to other projects.”

  As the producer introduced the new set design team, Kendrick’s eyes were glued to the backside of a woman who felt vaguely familiar. The next moments seemed to happen in slow motion as the woman was introduced to the group, her gaze finding his as she glanced around the room. The widening of her eyes proved she was just as surprised to see him as he was to see her.

  The next few minutes of the meeting flew by so quickly that Kendrick didn’t notice the woman was already headed his way until she was standing in front of him.

  “Hey, KD,” she said when she approached. “You work in television?”

  He didn’t answer until Angelica nudged him. “Um, yeah,” he finally said. “I have for six years.”

  “Oh,” she said when he didn’t say more. “Today’s my first day in the industry.”

  Of course it is, because the universe had a funny way of making him pay for his past booty calls.

  “Hi, I’m Angelica Smith and this is Monty Williams.”

  “Nice to meet you,” she said. “I’m Nicole LeBlanc.”

  “Nicole?” Kendrick’s eyes studied hers. “You told me your name was Bianca.”

  She gave a sheepish grin. “Actually, Nicole is my first name. When we met at the bar the other
day, I didn’t know you so I gave you my middle name. I guess I should have corrected you yesterday.”

  “So, you lied?” Kendrick said, a little harsher than he’d planned.

  “It wasn’t like that,” she said. “How we met was awkward enough. Back where I’m from, women don’t just give out their name to strangers until they know a little more about them.”

  “And where exactly are you from?”

  She frowned. “I’m from Miami, but I’m not sure I want to answer any more of your questions based off the accusatory tone in your voice. What gives, KD?”

  “KD?” Angelica questioned. When he glanced at his friends, he caught that parental look in their eyes. Angelica and Monty were only a few years older than him, but they never failed to remind him of that fact.

  “I guess I can’t get on you about your name when I didn’t give you my full name either,” he said. “KD is short for Kendrick Dominic and my last name is Burrstone. Some call me KD, but most call me Kendrick.”

  Her eyes softened. “Guess that makes us even.” She extended a hand. “It’s nice to officially meet you, Kendrick.”

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Nicole,” he said, accepting her handshake. “I missed part of your introduction. What’s your role on set?”

  She smiled. “I’m the new makeup artist and hairstylist for the commercials and documentary.”

  “Congratulations,” he said. “Based off our conversation last night, I’m sure you’ll do well.”

  She studied his eyes. “Thanks, Kendrick, I appreciate that.”

  He didn’t miss the soft way his named rolled off her tongue. Even under the circumstances, he still felt the chemistry between them. Just a few minutes ago, he’d been convinced he’d see her again, but now? Now, those thoughts went out the window.

  * * *

  He was uncomfortable. She could tell. And he wasn’t the only one. Her morning had already started off rocky when she realized that she’d misplaced her lucky crystal necklace and run out of her favorite lipstick. To top it off, she’d taken the wrong train into work and was almost late for her introduction meeting.