Her Best Match: A Romantic Comedy (The Best Girls Book 1) by Tamie Dearen Page A

chance?”
    “That’s not what I mean. I mean I’d love to go, but you shouldn’t go with me. You should go with one of your, uhmm… sophisticated friends. Like Mr. Gherring, he’s going with a famous model, Margo Milan. I won’t fit in with you and your important friends—I’m just a simple Texas girl. I wouldn’t even know what to talk about in a party full of international business people.”
    “I do not care about them. You are important. You are important to me. Tu es tres importante .”
    “Why Henri? Why me? You barely know me.”
    “Because, mes amis importants , my important friends, they see à l'extérieur , the… outside. But you, you see the inside. Your eyes see deep, dans l'âme , in the soul. With you, I have hope that I will be a better man. I am better, I am good with you.” He paused to let his words sink in, watching for a sign of her relenting. “And also, tu est tres jolie, non … belle. Et chaude !”
    Anne blushed at being called beautiful and hot, but Henri held her hand and gazed at her seriously, expectantly, waiting for a response.
    “What about Gherring?” asked Anne.
    “Gherring? You told me he is taking someone else. He has asked you to go with him?”
    “No, but up until a few minutes ago, he seemed to dislike you a lot. And he didn’t want me to go out with you.”
    “Is Gherring your father? You must ask permission?”
    “No Henri—that’s not fair. I just don’t want to appear spiteful. It is his event, and he’s my boss. I’m trying to be respectful, even though I’m not very good at it…”
    “ Pardon moi . You are right to have respect. But he said all is well between us, I promise. He knows now, I am not as bad as my reputation. I think he has had a similar experience with reputation. And we will stay across the room and not even go around him, not near him—the party is big, énorme, infini, vaste . Gherring will never know you are there…”
    “Okay, okay.”
    “Okay? That means yes? Okay yes?” His green eyes peered fervently at Anne’s.
    “Yes, yes I’ll go with you.”

Chapter Six - A Gala Affair
     
    “What!” exclaimed Katie. “Are you kidding me? Really? Henri asked you to the gala? I can’t believe he never asked me.”
    “But you’re engaged .”
    “Well I am now, but Henri’s been coming to the international business gala long before I was engaged.”
    “And Henri is way too old for you anyway. He’s my age.”
    “Well he’s been going out with girls younger than me in the past, and I certainly don’t think he’s too old for me. I’m so jealous. Henri is sooooo hot.”
    “But Katie—”
    “Oh don’t worry—I’m just kidding. I’m happily in love, so don’t fret. I’ve just always lusted over Henri a bit.”
    “Well, he is kind of cute.”
    “Kind of cute? That’s the understatement of the year. You’re a lucky dog. All these years I’ve done the preparation and planning, but I’ve never gotten to go to the bash. And you get to go after your first two weeks on the job. Plus, you get to go with Henri, who is smokin’ hot. But wait… We’ve got to get you ready for the party.”
    “What do you mean? It’s not until tomorrow night.”
    “But you need to go to the spa, get your hair done, get your makeup done.”
    Anne’s heart skipped a beat. “Oh I couldn’t do that. I’ve never had my makeup done. I don’t even wear much makeup. And I wouldn’t know where to go. Anyway, it would cost too much.”
    “I have a connection, a friend who’s just getting started in the business. She’s great, but she needs publicity. If she could just post your picture to advertise, she’ll give you a great deal, I’m sure of it.”
    “Well, maybe. But I don’t really have time. We’ve got a lot to do tomorrow—”
    “Nope, you’re taking a personal leave day tomorrow. I’ll wrap up all the details for the event. I’ve done it by myself before.”
    “But won’t Mr. Gherring be mad?”
    “Gherring will be