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

Imagine the misery where she comes from. Imagine what her
alternatives are to make begging in this weather a better option.”
    “I never thought of it that way,” Jeanne
muttered and realized they’d reached the Casa Shop.
    Finally.
    Or was it too soon?
    They lingered for a few awkward moments by
the entrance until Mat said, “It was great to see you.” He gave Jeanne the
customary cheek kiss.
    She didn’t turn her head or move her lips to
participate in the ritual. “Good luck with your campaign,” she managed in lieu
of a good-bye.
    Mat nodded and rushed away.
    Jeanne lifted her eyes skyward. Why does he have to be good on
top of being a hunk?
    As she shopped for curtains, she tried to imagine Mat in a ridiculous
comic-book superhero outfit—formfitting tights and all. For more impact,
she made said tights bright pink and shimmery.
    It worked for three seconds, before her treacherous mind zoomed in on his
athletic legs.
    And then the bulge between them.
    ***

Chapter Seven
    April
    The following weeks zoomed by like the TGV
train to Marseilles. Mat hardly had a spare minute between his election
campaign, day job, and helping with the wedding arrangements.
    Then the wedding day arrived. A small crowd
of over a hundred people attended the official ceremony in Paris and then drove
to Normandy on the congested A13. That they managed to make it to the abbey on
time was a minor miracle.
    Mat allowed himself to relax only after the
last guest took entered the hotel’s spacious dining room. He looked around.
Everyone appeared a little tired and happy for this chance to replenish their
energy depleted by the long day.
    He and Cécile were seated at the central
table with the newlyweds, Rob’s family who’d come from Jura and Lena’s from
Russia. Lena’s maid of honor satacross from them. With her date . Or should he call Didier her boyfriend ? The headwaiter wore a well-cut
suit and acted as if he belonged with Jeanne.
    And Jeanne . . . Jeanne was
ravishing in a strapless emerald green dress, a silky wrap thrown around her
slender shoulders, and her hair pulled back into a loose romantic updo .
    For Christ’s sake, stop staring at her .
    “Did you enjoy the day so far?” he asked
Cécile, after he finally peeled his gaze off Jeanne.
    “I did. It was a good idea to do it here,”
she replied with a sweet smile. “By the way, I think you’re expected to deliver
your speech now.”
    He collected his thoughts and tapped the side
of his wine glass with a spoon.
    After everyone quieted and turned to him, he
began.
    “Dear Lena and Rob, you can pack away your
slingshots and relax. I do not believe it’s the duty of the best man to
tell embarrassing stories about the couple in front of family and friends.”
    Rob beamed and Lena chuckled.
    Mat gave them a grin. “Not for lack of
material, as you would no doubt agree. But because I’m farsighted. Literally
and figuratively.”
    Half of the table cheered at that, while the
other half booed.
    “So instead, my dear friends, I’m going to
make the most truthful statement I’ve ever made in public.” He cleared his
throat. “Lena and Rob, your love is one of those rare, magical things that’s
impossible to talk about without sounding like a sappy cornball.”
    Several people giggled.
    Mat raised his eyebrows. “You want proof?”
    He pulled from his pocket and waved three
pages of crossed out notes. “See?”
    He turned back to the newlyweds. “But I will
say this before I let you guys go back to your meal. Your journey to this day
has been long and bumpy. So much, that each of you got very close to giving up
at some point. But you didn’t. You persevered because what you share is
stronger than any obstacle you may face. Your union is based on a love that’s
brave, pure, and forgiving. That kind of love is the most solid foundation a
marriage can have.”
    He raised his glass and addressed the whole
room. “Let’s drink to these two generous, dogged, and