Bonjour Cherie Read Online Free PDF Page A

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.’
    â€˜Derek? We’re just friends. We came here in a group from work.’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜Ow! What did you do that for?’
    â€˜Sorry,’ I said sweetly, ‘Didn’t watch where I was going.’
    â€˜Yeah. Right. You fight dirty, don’t you? But, that’s okay—I’ll get you back.’
    â€˜I don’t know what you mean.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜I need to get back to my friends,’ I said.
    â€˜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?’
    â€˜I don’t, not really.’
    â€˜Sure didn’t seem like it when you were dancing. You also said you weren’t interested in him?’ Her tone was accusing.
    â€˜I’m not.’ Oops, Derek’s glum face immediately lightened.
    â€˜I wonder what happened to that brunette he was with,’ Lisa said.
    â€˜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.
    â€˜Sure, no probs. Next time I see him and you’re with me.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜Well, you could be more subtle than that. We could go up to the bar and you could, you