A Valentine Surprise by Lisa Page Read Free Book Online Page A

out of the fridge and popped it in the microwave.
    Libby was Kendra's inside scoop to Mark and Ashley because her roommate, Jess, worked with Ashley. Apparently Ashley was as self-centered and cold as she was beautiful and Jess had no problem keeping tabs on her and getting the dirt that she'd report back to Libby who reported Kendra.
    It was because of this inside information that Kendra found out about Ashley in the first place. Mark had let her know that there was indeed “someone else” in the picture but wouldn't give out any other information. It was through Jess that Kendra soon learned that Ashley was the “someone else” and that it had been going on for a lot longer than she had imagined. That made the already painful breakup sting even more.
    “ They aren't engaged, yet. But maybe they will be after Valentine's Day. He's taking her to Chez Michel.”
    Kendra's sat down and plopped her microwaved lunch down on the table in front of her. She felt her heart drop into her stomach. “Chez Michel? Really?”
    Chez Michel was not where you went on a casual date. Chez Michel was the most romantic restaurant in the tri-state area. It is where you went to celebrate love. Engagements, anniversaries, the special times in your life. Though she'd never been there before, it was where Kendra had hoped Mark would take her for their first Valentine's Day together.
    Libby looked at her friend, her hazel eyes full of sympathy. “I almost didn't want to tell you, and I have to say, I think I'm done with any Ashley updates. It's been almost a month and I hate seeing your heart break over and over. You need to push both of those low life snakes out of your mind and get on with your life. You deserve so much better, Ken.”
    “Wiser words were never spoken by a first grade teacher,” came a voice behind them. Kendra knew even without turning around that it was Josh. He sat down and smiled at them. “I assume you're talking about Mark again, am I right? Don't even waste your time thinking about him. There are tons of men out there who would do anything for a date with you, ones who I'm sure would treat you much better than that jerk.”
    Kendra smiled at her friend. “Thanks, Josh, I appreciate the pep talk. I don't even want to think about dating again, not right now, anyways. And I am trying to forget about him, but it is so hard. Everything that I see reminds me of him. It was just a hard breakup, I thought everything was so perfect, and while I was a swooning lovesick puppy, he and Ashley were laughing at me behind my back the whole time.” She put her head into her hands. “How could I have been such a fool?”
    Then she looked up suddenly, her eyes twinkling as an idea began to form in her mind. “You know what I should do, what would really show them that I'm not a fool who is still in love?”
    Libby looked puzzled. “But you are. Still in love, I mean, not a fool.”
    “ Thanks, Lib. I just want to show them that they didn't hurt me and that I've moved on without a second thought.”
    “ How are you going to show them that?” Libby asked, still puzzled.
    “ I'm going to be at Chez Michel with a hot date who will be all over me. Mark will see exactly what he lost and realize that he is the fool.”
    Libby raised an eyebrow. “Um, I don't think that's a good idea AT ALL. First of all, Valentine's Day is only a week away, there's no way you could even get a reservation there if you wanted to.”
    Kendra smiled at her, eyes twinkling. “Not if I already have a reservation.”
    “ What? How did you get a reservation there?”
    “ Well, I made one a long time ago, thinking that I would be there for a romantic dinner with Mark. And then he broke up with me. But, I just didn't have the heart to cancel it yet. I guess I was thinking maybe things would change...”
    “ Oh, Ken, that's so sad.” Libby was shaking her head. “Anyways, even if you do have a reservation, I think you're missing another big part of this