Bonjour Cherie by Robin Thomas

He’s keen to brush up on his French, but hasn’t had a lot of chances to practice it lately, especially since I haven’t been home much over the last year or two. And, of course, he’d be far too shy to ask for much help in class.’
    Zach, shy? Were we talking about the same person here?
    My disbelief must have shown on my face because she said, ‘Oh, I know he comes across as very confident, but that’s just a front.’ She laughed and added, ‘I’d better be quiet or I’ll ruin the good impression you have of him.’
    We were definitely not talking about the same person. I picked up on another tidbit she had mentioned. ‘So, you don’t live here all the time?’ I asked.
    â€˜No, I actually live in Sydney, but I fly up every now and then to see how my kid brother is going, especially since our parents died.’
    â€˜Oh, I’m sorry. Your parents passed away?’
    Her face clouded, ‘Yes, but it’s been a few years now. It was hard at first, especially for Zach, but we’ve coped.’ Then she made an effort to smile, ‘But, tell me about you. What do you do?’
    I hated when people asked me that question because, although I had my ambitions, they weren’t immediately obvious to people who didn’t know me. ‘I work at the local IGA.’
    She nodded politely, clearly unimpressed but not stupid enough to say something like—‘Oh, that must be interesting’—because obviously it was not.
    At that point I heard a door open at the back and footsteps come up the hall. Perhaps this was one of the few times I was relieved to see Zach. His face brightened when he saw me.
    â€˜You came.’
    Did he think I wouldn’t? I wasn’t quite that rude.
    â€˜I see you’ve met Charlotte.’ He sat down next to me, laying a casual arm across the sofa back, a gesture that managed to stretch his dark T-shirt even more tightly across his broad chest.
    â€˜Yes, I’ve been telling her all sorts of things about you.’ Charlotte smiled at him wickedly.
    â€˜Don’t believe a word she says. My sister loves to get me in trouble.’
    â€˜How do you know it was all bad?’ I asked, raising an eyebrow.
    â€˜Oh, well, if you’re singing my praises, sing away, Sis. I need all the help I can get.’
    Charlotte laughed and then stood up. ‘I think you’ll manage, Zach. Anyway, I have to go. I’m meeting some friends tonight for dinner. It was nice to meet you, Beth. No, don’t get up. See you later, Bro.’
    As she left and the front door closed, I became aware of how close Zach was sitting to me. And also how he was looking at me. I edged a little away from him. ‘Shall we get started, then?’ I said in as business-like a tone as I could manage.
    â€˜Sure,’ he said, moving closer. ‘What did you have in mind?’

Chapter Seven
    His arm dropped around me, pulling me closer until I could feel the heat of his body and the steady beat of his heart. ‘We could pick up where we left off on Saturday night. I’m sure there’s an awful lot you could teach me, chérie .’
    For one moment, as I breathed in his clean soap scented, masculine warmth, I felt like showing Zach just what I did know about kissing, French or otherwise. But then reason and common sense kicked in, not to mention a memory of his inflated opinion about himself on Saturday night. Shy? I think not. I moved away from him and stood up, placing a safe distance between us.
    â€˜I seem to remember you apologising for Saturday night.’ I gave him a level stare.
    â€˜Only for what I said, not for what I did. I could never be sorry about kissing you. It was a memorable experience.’ I saw a teasing glint in his eye.
    I bent down and picked up a large cushion from the chair Charlotte had been sitting in and aimed it at Zach. It hit him squarely in the face and then it