Bonjour Cherie Read Online Free PDF

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.’
    â€˜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. Anyone want another drink? Derek, you coming?’
    â€˜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 26 th ?’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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.
    â€˜I’m feeling a bit tired. I think I might go home … no you stay with the others. I’ll catch a cab.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜Listen, you’re a good friend and I really like you, but that’s what I want us to stay, friends.’
    â€˜Friends go out.’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜No need to call a cab. I’ll take you home.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜How do you know my house is on the way?’
    â€˜Just about everything in this town is on the way.’
    I had to laugh. ‘That’s true.’
    â€˜Stay here. I’ll bring the ute round to the front so you don’t get wet.’
    â€˜What about