Under My Skin: A Contemporary Romance Set in Paris (Bistro La Bohème Book 2) by Alix Nichols Page A

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Jeanne. “There were thousands of people at the Place des Vosges and along the
route, everyone chanting and cheering. Great energy. I really enjoyed myself.”
    “I’m sure I’ll hear so much about it I’ll end up feeling like I was
there,” Jeanne said.
    Amanda shifted in her seat. “Um . . . I’m not sure what
the etiquette is when customers mix with waiters like this . . .
Do you think I can ask Didier or the chubby girl to get me a glass of sparkling
water?”
    “How about I pour you some from the tap?” Jeanne offered.
    Amanda sighed theatrically. “OK. I hate tap water, but these are
exceptional circumstances.”
    Jeanne handed Amanda her water and then moved closer to Amar , waiting for her turn to congratulate
him.
    She didn’t look at Mat. Not even once.
    “I couldn’t miss the chance to cheer La Bohème during the race,”
she heard him tell Rob.
    Rob rolled his eyes.
    She kept not looking at Mat.
    Manon hugged Amar and gave him a peck on the cheek.
    Amar grinned like a Cheshire cat.
    Jeanne still didn’t look at Mat.
    Lena walked over to Amanda. “Hi. It’s good to see you. Really.”
    Amanda flashed one of her landmark not-quite-reaching-the-eyes smiles.
“Yeah, well. I’d hoped you’d figure out it was your turn to take a rain check.
I think I’ve skipped enough events over the past year.”
    “I was hoping we could stop . . . skipping,” Lena said.
    Amanda shrugged. “I’m not the forgiving type. But I’m willing to pretend
I’m OK with being in the same room as you and Rob if you make sure to stay out
of my hair.”
    Lena nodded and left her in peace.
    Jeanne kept her gaze trained on Amar .
    “Come, I need to tell you something,” Lena whispered to Jeanne, heading
down the stairs.
    Jeanne followed her to the restroom.
    “I’m pregnant,” Lena said without bothering with an introduction.
    Jeanne blinked several times. “Oh. My. God. How far along are you?”
    “Three months.”
    “Wait a minute, so you were already pregnant during the wedding?”
    “Yep. Only I didn’t know it. I missed my period in March, but I didn’t
think much of it. My menses aren’t regular.”
    Jeanne gave her friend a bear hug. “I can’t believe it. This is huge! How
does it feel to be pregnant?”
    “It’s weird, actually. I’m still having a hard time accepting there’s a
living creature growing inside me.”
    “Like in the Alien movies.”
    “Oh no!” Lena grinned. “It’s actually a good feeling. Weird, but good.”
    “You and Rob are going to have a sweet little family,” Jeanne said.
    “You’re next. You caught my wedding bouquet.”
    “Did I have a choice? You hurled it at me.”
    Lena chuckled.
    When they walked out of the bathroom, Mat was hovering by the door. Lena
gave him a small smile and walked past him toward the dining room.
    Jeanne followed in Lena’s tracks, her head down . . .
until he moved in front of her, blocking her way.
    Shit .
    Slowly, she looked up.
    Double shit.
    He was even hotter than she remembered from a month ago.
    Must be my imagination.
    Mat stared at her in that fierce way that made her knees go weak.
    “How’s life?” he asked after a while.
    “Same old,” she said.
    They peered at each other for another long moment, and then Mat took a
step toward her. His chest rose and fell, and his eyes turned the color of dark
slate.
    If I don’t say anything, he’ll kiss me .
    It was tempting to let him.
    And then she remembered something. She’d thought about Mat last night,
but not in the way she usually did. She’d thought about him in connection with
Daniela, and that horrible boyfriend of hers. In spite of his new job and
promises, the fights hadn’t stopped. The concierge denied being battered, even
as she wore big sunglasses inside the building. The woman needed help.
    And Mat enjoyed helping people.
    “I have a neighbor whose boyfriend is violent. I’ve heard them fight , and I’ve seen her with bruises several
times,”