Need A Man
The chilly Paris air hit my face as we stepped out of the restaurant. I walked quickly, gripping Larry’s hand, half-hoping to leave the entire encounter with Rowan behind us. But my hopes were dashed when I spotted a police officer at the curb, speaking to another one just a few feet away. They noticed us immediately, stepping forward with a concerned look.
“Madame,” one of them began in French, his expression serious. “Excusez-moi, mais...”
I held up a hand, trying to calm myself. “I don’t understand... English, please?”
He nodded, looking a bit relieved. “We received a call about a missing child.”
“Oh... well, yes, but... it’s all fine now.” I tried to smile, realizing how ridiculous it must look. “My son’s safe. There’s no problem anymore.”
The officer exchanged a glance with his partner, clearly skeptical. “But, Madame, a report has already been filed. And we were told that a young boy was lost, possibly... taken?”
“No, no, he wasn’t taken,” I said quickly, forcing a reassuring smile. “He just... went off on his own for a bit. I found him.”
Larry, sensing the tension, squeezed my hand and added, “I’m fine! It was my idea. Mummy didn’t know.”
The officers still looked doubtful. “Madame, we will need a statement to confirm.”
“A statement?” I stammered, growing flustered. “It’s really not necessary. We’re both fine now—”
“Remi!” A familiar voice broke through the chaos, and I turned to see Asher hurrying over, his expression equal parts concern and relief.
“Oh, thank God,” I muttered, releasing a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Asher stepped up beside me, throwing an arm over my shoulder and giving the officers a quick nod. “Gentlemen, thank you for your assistance, but this was a minor misunderstanding. I can assure you everything is fine here.”
One officer glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “And you are?”
“A family friend,” Asher replied smoothly, keeping his tone calm and authoritative. “I’m the one who helped file the report, and I can confirm that she’s telling the truth. The boy was just momentarily lost, and he’s now with his mother, safe and sound.”
The officers looked at each other again, then nodded reluctantly. “Very well, but please remember to be cautious, Madame,” one of them said. “Paris is not always safe, especially for children alone.”
I nodded quickly. “Of course. Thank you, officers. I’m very sorry for the trouble.”
With a few more parting glances, they turned and walked back toward their car. I let out a sigh of relief, turning to Asher, who was watching me with a knowing smirk.
“What would I do without you?” I muttered.
“Let’s not find out,” he said, grinning. “What’s going on, Remi? You look like you just walked out of a battlefield.”
I gave Larry a gentle nudge, signaling for him to step aside, and then leaned closer to Asher. “It’s... Rowan,” I whispered. “He’s here, and he... he thinks he just bumped into his surgeon with a curious kid.”
Asher’s eyebrows shot up, his grin fading. “Wait... he doesn’t remember?”
“Not a thing,” I confirmed, glancing down. “To him, I’m just the woman who saved his life. He doesn’t remember the rest.”
Asher’s face softened. “That must have been... strange.”
“You could say that,” I muttered, rubbing my temples. “He insisted on having lunch with us. I only stayed because Larry seemed thrilled.”
“And... did he say anything?”
“Oh, he talked plenty,” I replied, feeling my frustration rise again. “He made it clear he thinks I’m hiding something.”
Asher smirked. “Well, you are, aren’t you?”
I glared at him. “Not funny, Asher.”
He chuckled, then his face turned serious. “Remi, maybe it’s time. I know it’s hard, but... Rowan deserves to know the truth about Larry.”
“You know I can’t do that,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m not ready to drag him into this, especially when he barely knows who I am.”
Asher shrugged. “It was bound to come up eventually. Maybe this is your chance to clear things up before it gets messier.”
I swallowed, the thought sinking in, but it didn’t sit well. “I don’t know. I’m just... I need to think.”
He nodded, giving my shoulder a comforting squeeze. “I get it. But just remember, if he finds out on his own, it’s going to hurt a lot more.”
“Yeah, thanks for the advice,” I said with a sigh, glancing down at Larry, who was busy playing with a pebble on the sidewalk. “I just don’t know if I’m ready.”
“You don’t have to decide now,” Asher said. “Just... think about it.”
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, glancing at the screen. Claire’s name popped up, her message short but enthusiastic.
Bachelorette party tonight! You’re coming, right?
I groaned, rubbing my forehead. “Great. Tonight’s Claire’s bachelorette party.”
Asher raised an eyebrow. “And you’re going, I assume?”
“I promised I’d be there,” I replied, exasperated. “But after today, I just... I don’t know if I have it in me.”
“Are you kidding?” Asher gave me a gentle nudge. “After everything, you deserve a break. Besides, it’s Claire. You wouldn’t want to miss her big night.”
I sighed, glancing back down at the phone. “I guess you’re right.”
“Of course, I’m right,” he said, grinning. “Now, I’ll take Larry and Laura back to the hotel so you can actually enjoy yourself tonight.”
I blinked, surprised. “You’d do that?”
“Why not?” he replied, shrugging. “The kids will be fine with me, and you need a night out.”
I glanced at Larry, who was eavesdropping with a hopeful grin. “Is that okay with you, Larry?”
“Yes!” he said immediately, grinning from ear to ear. “Uncle Asher’s fun!”
Asher laughed, ruffling Larry’s hair. “See? I’ve got it covered. Go, have some fun, and don’t worry about a thing.”
I hesitated, then nodded, grateful. “Thanks, Asher. Really.”
“Don’t mention it,” he replied, waving it off. “Now go and get ready. You’ve got a bachelorette party to attend.”
---
A few hours later, I was in front of the mirror, straightening out the dress I’d dug up from my suitcase—a simple black cocktail dress that fit well enough for the night. I still felt the weight of everything that had happened, but the thought of seeing Claire and taking a break from the chaos was refreshing.
As I stepped out of my room, Larry and Laura were sitting with Asher in the small hotel lounge. He looked up, his smile approving.
“Well, well, don’t you clean up nicely.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t get used to it. This is a one-night-only look.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he teased, giving me a thumbs-up. “Have fun. And don’t worry, the kids and I have a full itinerary planned. Movie night, pizza, probably some hide-and-seek.”
Larry and Laura cheered, already caught up in Asher’s enthusiasm. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Alright, alright,” I said, raising a hand. “You guys behave for Uncle Asher, okay?”
“Yes, Mummy!” they chimed, giving me identical grins.
I gave Asher one last grateful look, then turned to leave, taking a deep breath as I stepped out. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was going to have a night that was just for me.
---
The bachelorette party was at an upscale rooftop bar overlooking the Seine, and the view was breathtaking. By the time I arrived, the celebration was already in full swing. Claire spotted me almost instantly and rushed over, pulling me into a tight hug.
“There she is!” she exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t make it!”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I replied, managing a smile.
“Good, because I have big plans for you tonight,” she said with a mischievous grin. “First things first—drinks. Lots of them.”
I laughed, feeling some of the tension from earlier start to melt away. Claire handed me a cocktail, and before I knew it, we were toasting to her future, laughing and catching up. The night was loud, full of lights and music, the kind of night I hadn’t had in years.
Claire leaned close, eyeing me with a mischievous glint. “So, tell me... any updates on the love life?”
I almost choked on my drink. “Love life? Claire, I barely have time to sleep, let alone date.”
She raised an eyebrow. “What about that guy you were talking about last time? The... surgeon, right?”
I coughed, quickly shaking my head. “That’s ancient history. Nothing to report.”
“Remi,” she said, smirking, “we’re in Paris. If you don’t find some romance here..."
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