Sharynn POV

Why was it so wrong to want a perfect life, with a gorgeous man, and be well taken care of?

Richard Richardson could be all those things to her, and she still held feelings for him after so many years without him. Starting as best friends made their break up hard. Not only did she lose her possible mate for life, her boyfriend, but she also lost a friend.

"Sharynn, I'm so glad you're giving us a second chance."

Richard had taken his private jet and flown her to Paris to eat at a cute little place, Ribe Café, near the Eiffel Tower. He happened to know she loved all things French and wanted to go to Paris. It was something she planned on doing for herself, but never got around to it.

"Thanks for taking me to my dream city." Friday morning he told her to be ready to go away for the weekend and bring her passport. Never did she imagine they would take the long trek to France.

"You know it's nothing."

"Thanks for remembering. I told you about that-"

"Sixth grade. When you took your first French language class. I remember."

Her face lit up with a smile at that. By that age, Richard already mastered three languages, French, Spanish, and Italian. She was excited about taking her first foreign language class and learning about French culture and Paris. She then would obsess with everything French and ate croissants for breakfast for a month straight.

She loved the art and the architecture, and especially the history there. Maybe after dinner, they could get a tour of the city, though it was late.

"I can't believe you haven't come here already. What were you waiting for?" Richard sipped his wine, she only looked off and people watched.

What had she been waiting for? It was not the money, she had enough money to travel anywhere she wanted to go. Maybe she wanted to go to the most romantic city in the world with someone, and not by herself. She wondered if Trenton would think of a place like this to travel to. She had not mentioned she ever wanted to go with him.

"Don't worry, you have me now and I will take you all around the world. The best of the best with me, baby."

She ate a little of her pasta, still with nothing to say.

"Shar, is everything okay?"

She did not know what she was feeling right now. She was thankful she was finally in Paris. Thankful for having Richard back in her life, no matter how she felt. But why did she not feel so happy?

"Richie, it's fine, everything is fine."

What was not to enjoy about being in Paris?

After they enjoyed their dinner, they walked around the Eiffel Tower and watched the lights go off at the top of the hour. She took lots of pictures and videos and sent them to her friends. Not to show off, just to show how beautiful everything was.

Amari: At least Moneybags is good for something.

Kayla: Ignore her. As long as you are happy

That was the thing...she still felt unfulfilled.

"Richie, how many girls have you brought to Paris? Or anywhere, all around the world to impress them?"

Richard straightened the lapel of his expensive business suit as if anything was out of place in the first place. "Why does that matter Shar? You know you will always be the one for me."

He pulled her in his arms and kissed her. A kiss that she did not return, just stood there.

"Shar," Richard gave her a hard glare. "I know this is still new for us, trying to make this work as adults, but you know I really care. I would not rush you into a relationship unless you're ready. For now, we just build our friendship back, take things slow."

She nodded to that. It was like that was what she needed to hear.

Richard hailed a car, and they headed to a hotel. Since he told her on a whim they were going, she did not overpack. In her one luggage case for the overnight trip, she included pajamas and a long knit dress for the late fall weather. She also included tall boots to wear with the dress. She did not know what the plans were for tomorrow, but she also had her Nikes in anticipation of walking around the museums.

"I have separate rooms," he said to her, handing her a room key. "Next door, and they are connected, if you know...you want to come on over."

"Thanks, Richard."

She went into her room, kicked off her shoes, figured out how to work the lights, then sat on her bed. She had a great view of the Eiffel Tower from there, and she sat and glared at it.

What a romantic view! She should be enjoying herself, wrapped up in someone's arms, watching the lights. Richard deserved that. She should go over there and show him how thankful she was.

She sighed loudly and threw herself back in the bed.

What was she doing? She did not love Richard, not in that way, not anymore.

Could she fall back in love with him? Maybe.

After undressing, she pinned her hair up, put on a shower cap, and took a long hot shower. She slathered baby oil all over her body, put on a long, comfy nightgown, grabbed her tablet for reading, and then got into bed. It was obvious she was not planning on any romantic time with Richard by what she brought to sleep in. Nothing sexy, but an old nightgown that had seen better days.

No matter how attractive she felt Richard was, she did not see him in that way anymore. It felt like he was a brother or something and did not see him as sexy.

After reading on her Kindle app, she stopped and put it aside, got out of bed, and sat at the window ledge, continuing to watch the Paris skyline. Everything should be going so well in her life...yet, she was unhappy.

Nice job, nice money, nice condo, great friends. Why was she here?

More importantly, why was she with Richard? Why had she broken up with Trenton when that man was everything she wanted in a man? He made her happy. They were great together.

She missed him.

She fell asleep crying that night. She hated herself.

She woke up sick to her stomach and stayed in the bathroom for an hour until she felt okay to get ready for the day. She showered again, brushed her teeth, made up her face, and was about to get dressed when Richard knocked on the connecting door.

She grabbed the hotel's robe, put it on, and tied it securely closed before opening the door.

"Hey, Richie."

"You okay? I texted you."

"Sorry, I haven't been looking at my phone."

She walked over to the dresser to pick it up and saw a missed text from him. Then her blood pressure shot up. One from Trenton.

She opened it and read it.

I miss you

That made her smile. Maybe there was a chance for them after all.

"What are the plans for this morning," Richard said to her. "Want to go sightseeing, a museum? Oh, let's grab some croissants first."

"Richard, I'm pregnant!" she blurted out to him. She determined that this morning with her sickness, and did not know how he would take it. "I need to go back home, now."

No matter what, she was happy to be pregnant, and now, she would tell Trenton and he would do whatever with that information. If he wanted nothing to do with her or her baby, she would be fine and raise him or her all on her own. If it was meant for them to be together, they would be together.