Bonjour Cherie Read online

  I turned around to see Zach standing in the doorway and scanning the room. His eyes met mine and he nodded. But it wasn’t me he was looking for. A leggy brunette, in jeans that looked like she’d been poured into them, walked towards him and his face lit up. They gave each other a warm hug and disappeared into the crowd.

  So, he had a girlfriend. Or maybe he had several. What else did I expect? Zach wasn’t exactly short on looks or confidence. There was a type of girl who could be attracted to him. It just wasn’t me.

  ‘Damn,’ Kirsty said beside me. ‘Looks like he’s taken. You should have told me.’

  ‘I didn’t know. In fact, I hardly know him.’

  ‘Oh well, plenty more fish and all,’ Kirsty shrugged and took a sip of her soda water.

  I was suddenly feeling tired and a bit deflated. I wondered if Derek would mind if I just caught a cab home. I didn’t want to stay any longer, but it would be unfair to ask him to leave this early.

  ‘You want to dance?’ Derek asked coming back to the table.

  I could stay that long, I decided. Wouldn’t hurt for Zach to notice I wasn’t altogether alone, even though Derek was in the friend and not the boyfriend category. Still Zach didn’t know that.

  It was a slow song and Derek’s warm, slightly clammy hand took mine as his arm went around my waist. ‘Hey, I was wondering…’

  ‘Hmmm,’ I slid my glance around the room to see if I could see Zach.

  ‘I’ve got this thing I’m invited to, my cousin’s engagement party.’

  No, Zach wasn’t in sight. He was probably snuggled up in a corner with that brunette.

  ‘I was wondering if you’d like to go with me.’

  ‘Pardon?’ I switched my attention back to Derek.

  ‘Would you like to go to my cousin’s engagement party with me,’ Derek’s eager face bent closer to mine and his warm Coke scented breath fanned my face. I tried to move back a little, which was a tad difficult since he was holding me so tightly.

  ‘Gee, that’s sweet of you, but…’ I tried to search quickly for a reason that wouldn’t hurt his feelings. What was going on here anyway? I thought he clearly understood we were just friends ‘It’s on the 26th of this month. If you need the day off, I’m sure Bob would rearrange the work schedule for you.’

  ‘I…’

  I felt a tap on my shoulder and heard a voice, which was for once welcome, drawl, ‘Mind if I cut in?’

  Chapter Four

  ‘We’re having a private conversation here, mate.’ Derek shot Zach an indignant look, but Zach wasn’t looking at Derek; he was looking at me with an intense, darkeyed stare. I had to admit, up close, he didn’t look too bad—even if he wasn’t French. He was wearing a European style white shirt over well-cut dark trousers. There wasn’t a cowboy boot or tattoo (that I could see anyhow) in sight.

  ‘It’s okay, Derek. I know this guy. He’s from my French class. He probably wants my notes or something. I’ll just finish this dance and be back to join you and the others after.’

  I squeezed his hand gently to let him know I appreciated his understanding.

  Derek gave me a slightly hurt look (I was definitely going to have to let him down there, but I’d let him down gently) and moved off.

  Zach pulled me close and for a few tingly moments all I was aware of was the hardness of his broad chest and the feel of his arms around me. I knew I shouldn’t have had that second Bacardi and Coke.

  ‘Notes? On the dance floor?’ Zach looked down at me in amusement and raised an eyebrow.

  ‘Well, you took me off guard. And cutting in? What B-grade 1950s movie did you get that from?’

  Zach grinned, ‘My Gran’s got a great selection of the old classics. It worked, didn’t it? And you didn’t seem too reluctant to change partners.’

  ‘Don’t flatter yourself. I was just being polite.’ And getting out of an awkward situation with Derek, I thought. I felt guilty about that, but I needed time to think of a good excuse not to go out with him, and still be just friends. Though I had a feeling Derek wanted more than that.

  As if he read my thoughts, Zach said, ‘Your boyfriend didn’t seem too happy.’

  ‘Derek? We’re just friends. We came here in a group from work.’

  ‘Oh yeah, right. You’re saving yourself for your French teacher.’

  My spine stiffened. Two minutes, that’s all it took for Zach to get under my skin. ‘I’m surprised you could tear yourself away from that beautiful brunette I saw you with.’

  ‘You noticed, did you? She is beautiful, isn’t she?’

  I felt like wiping that smug look right off his face. Instead I said in as light a tone as I could manage, considering he was holding me closely and my stupid hormones would not obey me to be indifferent to his touch, ‘Then why are you dancing with me?’

  He bent his head till his lips touched my ear, sending a shiver through me. ‘Because, Beth, you are even more beautiful.’ Okay, maybe at that moment I was willing to let my hormones win. And then he said, ‘Also, that brunette happens to be my sister.’

  I stepped lightly (or maybe not so lightly) on his toe.

  ‘Ow! What did you do that for?’

  ‘Sorry,’ I said sweetly, ‘Didn’t watch where I was going.’

  ‘Yeah. Right. You fight dirty, don’t you? But, that’s okay—I’ll get you back.’

  ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

  ‘Babe, you know exactly what I mean,’ and he pulled me a little closer.

  Why I didn’t leave the dance floor right then, I don’t know. I really didn’t like Zach Mills. He was not just small town and unsophisticated; he was arrogant, rude and just plain annoying. But when he was holding me, all those thoughts flew out of my mind—until the next time he made me as mad as hell, which was sure to happen soon.

  The song ended, but Zach still kept his arm around my waist. ‘Let’s go to the bar for a drink,’ he said.

  But whatever craziness going on in my mind had settled and, more importantly, I had thought of a good reason why I couldn’t go out with Derek to his cousin’s engagement party.

  ‘I need to get back to my friends,’ I said.

  ‘They can do without you for a few minutes,’ Zach persisted.

  I disentangled myself from him. ‘I came with Derek. I can’t be totally rude. Thanks for the dance.’ I left him looking more than a little irritated. Did this guy think he was such a chick magnet no girl could say no to him? Think again, Babe.

  I went back to the table and Kirsty pounced on me immediately. ‘I thought you said you didn’t know him?’

  ‘I don’t, not really.’

  ‘Sure didn’t seem like it when you were dancing. You also said you weren’t interested in him?’ Her tone was accusing.

  ‘I’m not.’ Oops, Derek’s glum face immediately lightened.

  ‘I wonder what happened to that brunette he was with,’ Lisa said.

  ‘Oh, that was his sister, not his girlfriend.’ Interrogation or what? That’s the trouble with good friends—they’re nosey.

  Kirsty gave me a broad smile and even Lisa looked mildly interested. ‘So, how about an introduction?’ Kirsty asked.

  ‘Sure, no probs. Next time I see him and you’re with me.’

  ‘No time like the present.’ Did I say Kirsty was persistent? She was more like a carpet snake that strangles its victims with a death grip. She never lets go.

  ‘Look,’ I said, trying to be patient, ‘I can’t just march over to him with you and say, here’s my friend, Kirsty, she’s got the hots for you.’

  ‘Well, you could be more subtle than that. We could go up to the bar and you could, you know, look over in his direction.’

  I shook my head. ‘Zach probably wouldn’t come over anyway. I kind of let him know I wasn’t interested in him.’

  ‘Some friend you are,’ Kirsty lapsed into a sulky silence.

  Jake, looking thoroughly bored by this girly conversation, said, ‘I’m going to the bar. A
nyone want another drink? Derek, you coming?’

  ‘No, I’m good for the moment.’

  As Jake went to the bar and Lisa started to talk to Kirsty about a movie she wanted to go to, Derek turned to me and said quietly, ‘Have you thought about the 26th?’

  ‘Thanks for the invite, but my parents are coming back from holidays on that day and I really should be there to see them.’ They weren’t coming home till the following week, but Derek didn’t need to know that.

  ‘Oh.’ His face fell and he looked like a sorrowful puppy. I felt guilty, but it would be worse to encourage him when I knew it was never going to lead anywhere.

  ‘I’m feeling a bit tired. I think I might go home … no you stay with the others. I’ll catch a cab.’

  ‘No, really, I’m ready to go to.’ Ever the gentleman he was. He’d make some girl a great boyfriend, but not me. ‘Hey,’ he said, ‘maybe we could go to a movie sometime.’

  Time to set the record straight. Lisa and Kirsty had gone to the Ladies, so we were alone.

  ‘Listen, you’re a good friend and I really like you, but that’s what I want us to stay, friends.’

  ‘Friends go out.’

  ‘Sure they do, like now, with other friends. But, I don’t want to take it any further. I’m sorry. No hard feelings?’

  He managed a small smile, ‘Sure. No worries. I just thought we might have a few laughs together, no pressure. And I didn’t think there was anyone else, unless it was that Zach guy.’

  ‘Him?’ I managed a light laugh. ‘Not in a million years. Anyway, I’m going to go now. Say goodbye to the others for me.’

  ‘No reason I can’t drive you home.’

  But I imagined his kindly yet disappointed face as we drove home together and I was afraid I might give in because I was sorry for him and agree to go out with him. I liked him too much to do that.

  ‘Don’t worry, it’s cool. You stay and have fun.’ I grabbed my bag. ‘See you at work on Monday.’ I left him, looking dejected.

  Truth be told, I was a bit down myself. I had a feeling things were going to be awkward at work for a while. Kirsty was none too pleased with me and Derek would probably avoid me like the plague. As for Zach, well he managed to press all my buttons without even trying. And André seemed as far away from appreciating me as ever. Add to that, it was pouring rain when I went outside to call a cab on my phone.

  I was just about to reach inside my bag, when I heard the door behind me whoosh open and a hand lightly touch my shoulder. ‘I thought you were with your friends? Haven’t you got a ride home?’

  I turned to see Zach. ‘I was with them, but I was feeling tired so I decided to go home.’

  ‘No need to call a cab. I’ll take you home.’

  ‘I’m fine,’ I said, remembering I’d said this once before when my car wouldn’t start and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. I reached a hand in my bag to grab the phone and his hand lightly encircled my wrist.

  ‘Come on. Don’t be silly. It’s on the way and if you’re worried about my drinking, don’t. I rarely drink when I’m out. I’ve been on Coke and water all night.’

  ‘How do you know my house is on the way?’

  ‘Just about everything in this town is on the way.’

  I had to laugh. ‘That’s true.’

  ‘Stay here. I’ll bring the ute round to the front so you don’t get wet.’

  ‘What about you?’

  He shrugged his shoulders. ‘Doesn’t worry me. Don’t move. I’ll only be a few minutes.’ He dashed into the rain, heading towards the parking lot.

  Why couldn’t I say no to him, when it had been so easy to say no to Derek? I was puzzling over this, when the door opened again and Derek came out.

  ‘Look at this rain. I insist on taking you home. Cancel your cab.’ Derek being authoritative? Who would have guessed?

  At that precise moment the ute pulled up in front and Zach leaned over and opened the door. Talk about timing. I would have rather gotten soaked than have to have seen the look on Derek’s face when I said, ‘Thanks, but I’ve got a ride.’ I lifted my shoulders and said, ‘Sorry, but it’s on his way.’

  I got into the ute quickly and winced when I looked back at him. I suspected we weren’t even going to stay friends after this.

  ‘So, was that the guy you were dancing with? What did he want?’ Did I detect a slightly hostile note in Zach’s voice?

  I was over all this. Bed and a long sleep seemed a wonderful alternative at the moment.

  I buckled my seatbelt, leaned my head on the headrest and closed my eyes. ‘Don’t ask,’ I said, as we took off.

  Zach pulled up in front of the old Queenslander where my parents and I lived. It had originally belonged to Gran, Dad’s mum, but she had died about ten years ago and since then my parents had renovated it so that it still had charm but was much more comfortable. To me it was home, the place where I could shut the rest of the world out when it got on my nerves. I didn’t know how I felt about Zach seeing where I lived. Somehow it was bringing our relationship (relationship? Well, acquaintanceship) to a level that was bordering on personal.

  He looked at the wide wraparound verandah, where I had left the outside light on. ‘Nice place,’ he said. ‘You live here with your parents?’

  ‘Yeah, but they’re on holiday at the moment.’ As soon as I said that I wished I hadn’t. Zach didn’t need to know I was on my own—though it wouldn’t make any difference, because I wasn’t going to invite him in or anything.

  The rain had stopped and for that I was grateful. ‘Well, thanks for the ride and all,’ I said, opening the door and getting ready to hop out of the ute.

  ‘What’s your hurry?’ he said, placing a hand on my arm. I hated that my nerves tingled with his slightest touch.

  ‘It’s late and I’m tired,’ I said, as he leaned closer and brushed the hair from my face with his other hand.

  ‘Then I’d better say goodnight,’ he said softly as he bent his head and brushed his lips softly against mine. I swear I didn’t mean to respond, but somehow I must have because he was kissing me again and this time his mouth pressed firmly against mine. Obviously, Zach had kissed a few women in his life because his technique was just about perfect. I closed my eyes and felt my traitorous lips open to his and for a long moment all I could think about was how wonderful he felt and how I wanted it to go on and on.

  Zach’s arms encircled me and I wound mine around his neck as I felt the warmth of his broad chest and breathed in his clean scent of soap and aftershave. His tongue found mine and heat welled in my stomach. I pressed closer to him and his kiss deepened. Something suspiciously like a moan escaped my lips. His hands found my face and cupped it as he gently lifted my head. His eyes were pools of darkness and his breath was short. All I knew was that I wanted him to go on kissing me. Maybe I would ask him in for one coffee.

  But his next words surprised me, and not in a pleasant way. ‘That’s what you call a French kiss, and I do it way better than the French. So, by the way, do you.’

  ‘What?’ I jerked back from him. ‘Of all the arrogant, conceited things to say…’ I was lost for further words.

  Zach grinned at me, ‘Dream about that instead of André Le Blanc when you go to bed tonight. At least that kiss was real. And there’s plenty more where that came from.’

  I could have slapped that stupid grin off his face, except that I was too much of a lady. ‘If you think for one moment, Zach Mills, that I will ever let you kiss me again, you’re the one dreaming.’

  I jumped out of the ute and slammed the door. I turned my back and without a glance backward, strode up the path to the porch steps. Stupid man didn’t leave but stayed parked in his ute while I fumbled with my key and opened the front door. What? Did he think I would relent and go back to him? He could think again.

  Once inside I slammed the door and locked it again, collapsing against it. Only then did I hear the ute move away into the night.

  Chapter F
ive

  The butter sizzled in the pan as I poured in the mixture. I let the batter spread to the sides of the small skillet and poised, spatula in hand, to lift it delicately along the edges as it firmed. A few minutes later I placed a perfect French crepe on my plate. Then, I poured in the last of the mixture and repeated the process. Placing a few small raspberries and a small dollop of cream on each one, I rolled the crepes delicately. Voilà. Perfection.

  I poured a coffee from the urn and sat down at the kitchen table to enjoy my feast. Every Sunday, my day off, I practised my French cooking. Mum and Dad were usually very appreciative of my efforts, but now that they were away I had to make things that were simple and small. Crepes weren’t exactly slimming, but then, I reflected, most French women were thin, so if I ate like them I surely wouldn’t put on too much weight.

  I picked up my much-thumbed guidebook to France and took a sip of coffee. Whenever I felt stressed I found it very soothing to plan the itinerary for my trip. I had, of course, gone over it many times, sometimes putting in slight variations of where I would like to go. Doing this never failed to renew my determination to get there one day soon. After breakfast and the load of laundry I had to do, I had planned a relaxing afternoon watching a Gerard Depardieu movie—in French of course (but with subtitles). Then I would take a long, luxurious bubble bath, apply a small dab of Chanel No. 5, put on my silk pajamas, and reread The Da Vinci Code, because I especially liked the beginning when they were in Paris.

  Yes, I had my perfect Sunday just about planned and there was no way I was going to let any thoughts of Zach Mills intrude my peace. I would not think about that humiliating experience in his ute last night where I forgot myself and allowed him to kiss me. I stabbed a piece of crepe and the cream came shooting out on my T-shirt. Grabbing a serviette, I wiped it off, while I made a resolution to have nothing more to do with that smug, self-important, overbearing bogan. There was no other word for him.

  Instead, I turned my thoughts to André. I would really impress him this week with all the improvements I’ve made in my French. Perhaps instead of reading The Da Vinci Code, I would go on those websites and practise my conversational French. Yes, I would try a few phrases out and then they would roll off my tongue in class, much to his amazement and admiration. He would be so impressed he would ask me out for coffee and from there … well, at last he would see me, Beth Jenkins, as the soul mate he had been searching for.