Under My Skin: A Contemporary Romance Set in Paris (Bistro La Bohème Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

lunch.”
    “No kidding,” Jeanne said in her driest voice.
    “It’s the best place in town, and I only go for the best.” Mat squinted
at her and smiled his crooked smile. “Do you mind if I tag along? We could talk
about our common friends and remember the good old times.”
    Jeanne stole a glance at Didier. He’d folded his arms across his chest,
lifted his head, and straightened as if trying to reach Mat’s height. His mouth
had thinned into a hard line, and even though he remained silent, his body
language was loud and clear.
    This is a disaster in the making, Jeanne thought. Yet some
treacherous part of her was thrilled to spend the next hour in Mat’s company.
    “Fine. Whatever.” Didier tugged at Jeanne’s sleeve. “Let’s move.”
    “I’ll catch up with you,” Mat said. “Just need to make a quick phone call.”
    Jeanne and Didier were already seated when Mat walked into the
restaurant. He exchanged a handshake and a few warm words with the chef and the
waiter who rushed to add a chair and utensils to Jeanne’s table.
    After they ordered, Mat fixed his gaze on Jeanne, staring at her for much
longer than was polite.
    She shifted in her seat.
    “I’m not used to seeing you in jeans,” he said by way of apology. “Either
of you, that is,” he added, turning to Didier.
    “Why, did you think I was born in a server uniform?” Didier asked, a
muscle pulsing on his jaw.
    Mat turned to Jeanne again. “I much prefer your current look to the
Gothic stuff you wore outside work a few years ago.”
    She smiled. “Oh yeah, my Gothic phase.”
    “Do you still hang out with Goths?” Mat asked.
    Jeanne shook her head. “I never did, actually. I was what the Goths call
a poseur . I loved their
esthetics, I copied their dress, but I never shared their worldview.”
    “Which is?” Didier asked.
    “A fascination with all things tragic and morbid,” Jeanne explained.
    “Was that why you dyed your hair blue rather than black?” Mat asked.
    “Yeah,” Jeanne said. “I guess it was my touch of rebellion against their
rebellion . . . I never enjoyed Gothic music, either.”
    “You used to like Sting,” Mat said.
    “Still do.” Jeanne looked him straight in the eyes. “I’m faithful like
that.”
    Mat swallowed hard and held her gaze. For a few moments, no one spoke.
Jeanne and Mat peered at each other, while Didier’s face grew tenser and redder
by the second. Then, thankfully, their food arrived.
    They ate in silence.
    “It was nice seeing you . . . guys,” Mat said when they
finished the meal and stood to leave.
    “Take care,” Jeanne said.
    Didier glared at him and walked out of the restaurant.
    On their drive back, Jeanne thought of Mat, noting with satisfaction that
her initial excitement was giving way to anger. He had no right to intrude on
their meal. He had no right to look at her like that—as if she had
mattered to him—or talk to her as if he had cared. He had no right to
treat Didier with contempt.
    Then she thought of Didier, telling herself he was a solid guy who had
enough trust and respect for her to want to be her business partner.
    And, possibly, more.
    ***

Chapter Three
    November
    Cécile climbed into bed next to Mat who looked up from his iPad and
smiled. She had a pencil, a highlighter , and a thick binder in her hands.
    “Things are looking better for my client,” she said.
    Given her penchant for understatement, he inferred she expected to win
the case. “That’s my girl. Would it be premature to announce it during the
public debate at the town hall?”
    “When’s the debate?”
    “Saturday. I’m counting on your presence.”
    “I’ll be there. This GMO case will set a precedent in the region, so the
judge is taking longer than usual.” She tapped her teeth with her pencil. “I
should be able to tell you on Friday if you can make an announcement.”
    “What about the windmills?”
    She sighed. “We’ve got the Government’s Environment Pact and