Bonjour Cherie (3 page)

Zach was out and had the bonnet of both vehicles up and the leads attached almost before I had time to get myself behind the wheel of my car. Perhaps he was just as anxious to get rid of me as I was him.

‘Start her up,' he said. My little car spluttered into life. I almost kissed the steering wheel.

After he'd detached the leads and put the bonnets down on both vehicles, he came over to me. I rolled the window down reluctantly.

‘Do you want me to follow you back to make sure everything is okay?' he asked.

Hell, no. ‘I'll be fine. Thanks for your help,' I said, remembering my manners.

‘No worries.' He bent down closer, no mean feat for a guy over six foot and a car as low off the ground as mine. Then, his lips, warm and firm, brushed mine.

Before I had time to protest, he said, ‘See you in French class,
chérie
.' And with a wink, he returned to his ute.

‘
Monsieur
LeBlanc … André, how lovely to see you.' I beamed at him from the register as if he were a long lost friend I hadn't seen in years, instead of four days ago. I pushed through his items – seedless green grapes (the expensive ones), brie cheese (of course) and rice crackers (99.9% fat free). I imagined myself sharing this with him over a bottle of mature red.

‘How are you, Beth?' He remembered to use my first name. At last we were getting somewhere.

‘Oh, just fine. I checked on those websites you gave me and I've been practicing away,' I babbled.

‘Good, good.' He stood there waiting patiently. What for? Perhaps he wanted to ask me out for a drink, but was too shy to ask. I had nothing planned tonight. I could easily go. I mentally scanned the items in my closet, wondering what I should wear.

‘Beth?' He spoke hesitatingly.

‘Yes,' I answered, trying to look encouraging.

‘How much do I owe?'

Flustered, I looked at the cash register. ‘$12.65 please.'

He gave me a twenty and I handed him the change. Our fingers almost touched. ‘Well, see you in French class,' I said lamely.

He gave me a warm smile and nodded, then disappeared out the door with his plastic bag, obviously meant to be shared with someone else. I sighed and turned to the next customer. Zach. Of course.

‘Hi,' I said, dropping my usual ‘How are you today?' greeting to customers. I scanned his items—two tins of dog food (on special), a T-bone steak (of course) and a can of Coke (not diet). No doubt who he'd be sharing his dinner with tonight, I thought, the mental image of Dave popping into my head. I almost smiled.

‘How's the car running?' he asked.

‘Fine. That's $14.50 please.'

He handed me a twenty. I gave him the change and this time our fingers definitely touched. I snatched my hand back quickly, and looked behind him. There were no more customers waiting. In fact the shop was nearly empty as it was almost closing time.

He was still there. ‘You've got it bad, haven't you?' His look was almost sympathetic.

‘I don't what you mean.' My tone was icy.

‘He's not interested, you know.'

‘Pardon?'

‘The Frenchman. You're wasting your time.' Zach grabbed his shopping bag. I would have exploded if I hadn't been at work and in a public place. Instead I tried to put every gram of cold anger into my look. ‘Well, please don't let me waste yours.'

I had the satisfaction of seeing Zach redden, but his words took some of that pleasure away. ‘Don't worry. Babe, I'm not that desperate.' He turned and swaggered, there was no other word for it, out the sliding doors.

I had gone through about twenty emotions in the last five minutes, most of them unpleasant and most of them due to Zach Mills. Who the hell did he think he was? What business was it of his who I liked? But, I wondered, was it really that obvious how I felt about André? And why couldn't he look at me the way I'd seen Zach once (maybe twice) almost look at me? Life, I decided, was very unfair.

After closing time, I sorted out my till and went into the small room at the back where the staff kept their things.

I liked working at the local IGA. Bob, our boss, was good as bosses go, the staff was easy to get along with and I could live at home, which certainly helped my meagre savings. Mum and Dad had been disappointed I hadn't gone to uni, especially as I had received an OP under 10, but the trouble was I didn't know what I wanted to do—except go to France. So, I'd taken a gap year, well several actually. But life, a few parties and a busy social life had pretty much taken care of the first couple of years. Then, my boyfriend got transferred in his job to another state and our relationship, which hadn't been that serious anyway, went with him. That's when André Le Blanc had come to town, and saving for France became once again my top priority.

Derek, who worked in the fish and deli section, was also grabbing his jacket in the back room. ‘Hey, Beth, some of us are going to Bart's tonight—if you're free.'

I considered. I was friendly with most of the staff and we often went out for a few drinks or a meal. Bart's was a popular bar, where they served meals and even had a dance floor you could shuffle around if you wanted to. It didn't look as if I had any other plans for tonight. ‘Sure. What time?'

‘About eight. You need a lift or anything? I'm the designated driver tonight.' Derek grimaced. We often took turns at that. I considered my unreliable Fiesta.

‘Sounds good. My car wouldn't start the other night, so yes, I'd be glad to get a ride.'

‘You really should get another car. I know this isn't Sydney or Melbourne, but it's not safe for a girl to be in a car like that, even here.' Derek was sweet, but seriously, a bit dull. At twenty-five he had the beginnings of a double chin. By the time he was thirty he'd be general manager of the store, married and with 2.5 children. I liked him, but he represented everything I wanted to escape from in this town. There was absolutely nothing between us. He was a good mate and that was all.

I smiled at him. ‘Tell me about it. But I'm saving at the moment.'

‘Yeah, I know, for France.' There was something about the way he said it that reminded me of Zach.

‘Yes, for France,' I snapped, grabbing my bag.

He held up his hands. ‘No offence. I know it's your dream.'

My temper cooled. This was not arrogant, know it all Zach; this was sweet, dependable Derek, who wouldn't hurt a fly.

‘Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. Just a bit tired.' I headed out the door to the car park at the back.

‘No worries. See you tonight,' he called as I left the building.

A shower, one slice of reheated pizza and half a glass of chardy later, I felt much better. The embarrassment of Zach seeing me trying to attract André's attention was starting to fade. I surveyed my wardrobe. Just friends tonight, so no stress. I selected my second best pair of jeans and a pink V-neck top that complemented, I thought, my auburn hair. (I was a bit sensitive to people calling it red). I slipped into a pair of wedged heels that gave me height and comfort—two for the price of one. I was a shoe person. I had to admit that some of my purchases over the years had put a dent in the savings account. But this year I had been very good. I only bought shoes when they were on sale—seriously.

I was all ready by the time I heard Derek's tentative knock. His clean-shaven face beamed at me when I opened the door.

‘Hey Beth. You look nice.'

‘Thanks. Let's go.' I was surprised to see there were no other passengers when I got to his car. ‘Have we still got to pick the others up then?'

‘Jake and Lisa decided to go with Kirsty, who has a cold and doesn't want to drink tonight. So it's just you and me. Hope you don't mind.'

‘Of course not. But we could have gone with them, saved you the trouble.'

‘It might be a bit crowded though in Kirsty's car.'

‘I guess. Well, thanks.'

‘Oh, I don't mind really. I'm not much of a drinker anyway.'

I smiled at him. ‘No, you aren't. Dependable Derek, that's you.'

He started the car and we moved off, ‘Now, you're just laughing at me.'

‘Would I dare? Never. That's a compliment you know.'

‘Yeah, right.' He shot a grin at me.

When we got to Bart's, the others were already there. I gave the girls hugs and sat down next to Lisa.

‘The usual, Beth?' Derek asked.

‘Yes, thanks. I'll get the next round.' He and Jake disappeared in the direction of the bar.

‘So, how are the French lessons going? I saw André in the store today. I noticed he went to your checkout, lucky girl,' Lisa said.

‘Wish I was. Sometimes I think he doesn't even see me.' I sighed.

‘Give him time,' Lisa said encouragingly.

‘Who was the hot guy who came after him? I saw you talking. Do you know him?' Kirsty's blue eyes bored into me.

‘Zach Mills. He's in my French class.' I tried to make my voice sound bored, as if I couldn't care less—which, of course, I didn't.

‘Two hunks in one class. Hmm, think I'll join up too,' Kirsty said, and I knew she was only half kidding. She had a predatory, determined streak in her. Ask any customer who tried to get away with only one purchase in the meat department.

‘It's probably too late to join now. We're halfway through the course.' I didn't mean to sound defensive. Perhaps I didn't want any competition for André.

‘Oh, don't worry. I'm not after your precious Frenchman. It's the other one I'm interested in. You've no claims on him, do you?'

‘None in the slightest.'

I was relieved when the guys came back with our drinks and the conversation took a different turn. We had a few laughs, a few drinks. It was nothing serious and that's what I liked about it. I even danced with Jake and Derek, who managed not to tread on my toes.

It was nearly eleven when Kirsty grabbed my arm, ‘There he is.'

‘Who?' My heart raced. Surely André hadn't come here?

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 26
^th
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?'

‘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.'