The Valentine's Do-Over


 
 
 
 There was no mistaking the mutual desire, the tension arising between them.
 Selena struggled to keep up with this newfound awareness. This was her coworker. A man known for his prowess with the ladies. She couldn’t let her Cinderella moment delude her into thinking this was something more. Not that she wanted...something more.
 She scoffed. “They’re taken with my clothes. With how I look. How many of them would notice me or find me appealing if they saw me in my regular work gear?”
 “I would.” He cleared his throat and leaned to whisper in her ear. “I have.”
 Her mouth popped open and she put some distance between them. She would admit she liked being found desirable, but she couldn’t get caught up. She was dealing with a man who had a PhD in flirting, and she reminded herself that Trent could be teasing her. He had the gift of gab...and a gifted tongue if the rumors were to be believed. A rumor she was now very interested in investigating for veracity.
 “I don’t know if I believe that...” She licked her lips and Trent’s eyes followed the movement. Her body heated and she crossed her legs, resisting the urge to fan herself.
 
 
 Dear Reader,
 The inspiration for this Valentine’s Day story started with a Twitter call from an editor. She was seeking a different take on the popular holiday, and that got the creative wheels in my head turning and Selena and Trent’s story came to life.
 Selena and Trent each had different reasons why they shied away from love and a day dedicated to love, so going on this journey with them was a lot of fun. I loved the chance to delve into their backstories and to show that sometimes the right person for you could be right next to you if you just open your eyes.
 I love reading deep stories with a rom-com feel and this was my first attempt at writing one. I especially love stories with strong supporting characters, and that’s what I hope you found with Pammie. If you enjoyed reading this cute tale with some feel-good moments, I would love to hear your thoughts. Please connect with me on Facebook or join my newsletter at michellelindorice.com.
 Michelle
 
 
 The Valentine’s Do-Over
 Michelle Lindo-Rice
 
 
 
 Michelle Lindo-Rice is a 2021 Emma Award winner and a 2021 Vivian Award finalist. Michelle enjoys reading and crafting fiction across genres. Originally from Jamaica, West Indies, she has earned degrees from New York University; SUNY at Stony Brook; Teachers College, Columbia University; and Argosy University; and has been an educator for over twenty years. She also writes as Zoey Marie Jackson.
 Books by Michelle Lindo-Rice
 Harlequin Special Edition
 The Valentine’s Do-Over 
 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
 Rivals at Love Creek
 Cinderella’s Last Stand
 Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
 
 
 I would like to dedicate this book to my friend Lea. I am rooting for your second-chance love. I also must acknowledge my husband, John, who is my talk-through partner and who helped me push through to get this book written. Thank you to my sister, Sobi Burbano, and Fran Purnell: my unofficial first-reads crew. Thank you to the Harlequin Special Edition team—Gail Chasan, Megan Broderick and others who helped to shape the story into a much better read. And a big thank-you to my wonderful agent, who has such a sweet spirit and bright smile: Latoya Smith.
 
 
 Contents
 Chapter One
 Chapter Two
 Chapter Three
 Chapter Four
 Chapter Five
 Chapter Six
 Chapter Seven
 Chapter Eight
 Chapter Nine
 Chapter Ten
 Chapter Eleven
 Chapter Twelve
 Chapter Thirteen
 Chapter Fourteen
 Chapter Fifteen
 Chapter Sixteen
 Chapter Seventeen
 Chapter Eighteen
 Chapter Nineteen
 Chapter Twenty
 Chapter Twenty-One
 Chapter Twenty-Two
 Chapter Twenty-Three
 Chapter Twenty-Four
 Excerpt from Valentines for the Rancher by Kathy Douglass
 
 
 Chapter One
 Fifty-five days.
 Fifty-five days from now, on January 1, Selena Cartwright would be celebrating her two-year anniversary on the Weeknights with Trent and Selena Show. Fifty-five days until she would earn equal pay with her cohost. A right she had fought for, with Trent Moon’s backing.
 She fussed with her messy updo and smoothed her brown slacks, making sure not to trip over the large area rug as she exited her dressing room and made her way to the radio booth. Trent and the producer, Carla Smith-Jones, were already inside. She could see the whites of his capped teeth and ran her tongue over hers as a reflex action. She needed to get to the dentist and stop chewing on the fruit snacks she was never without—serving as her lunch and dinner on many occasions. Come to think of it, what she actually needed was to make time in her schedule to eat, splitting herself between the show and her private practice as a mental health therapist.
 Carla waved her inside. “It’s about time you got here.”
 Selena glanced at the Movado watch on her slender wrist, a gift that had outlived the boyfriend of two years who had given it to her. She had five minutes before they went live. The trip from the Gracie Square Hospital, a facility for psychiatric patients, to the studio on Varick Street had taken the cabdriver close to an hour instead of the usual thirty minutes.
 She touched her bangs and responded to Carla. “There was a serious accident and the rain didn’t help. I don’t know how some people get their driver’s license.”
 “That’s why I don’t drive in the city unless I have to,” Trent said with a laugh. “I have serious road rage.”
 Most days Selena loved the hustle and bustle of New York City but days like today made her consider relocating to Westchester or Poughkeepsie. It had taken her stylist thirty-three minutes to get her droopy curls tamed into a respectable bun. Even though it was a radio station, Selena and Trent were recorded and their