by Tina Martin
“Whoa.” Regal wiped his mouth and pushed the rest of his food away. He knew how much Ramsey loved Leandra. She was the only woman his brother had ever loved. “I don’t think I heard you right.”
“You did,” Ramsey said his expression serious.
“But you said you couldn’t feel a connection with a woman after Leandra. It’s been what? Fifteen years since she passed?”
“Yes. Fifteen years.”
Regal frowned. “Are you feeling okay, Ram?”
“I’m fine,” Ramsey said with a chuckle.
“I’m only asking because, in fifteen years, you’ve been through some gorgeous, successful, hot women—none of which you’ve tried to get serious with, but all of a sudden you sign up for this matchmaking service and magically find the perfect woman.”
“That’s just the thing. I didn’t find her from Wedded Bliss. We met organically.”
“How so?”
“She owns a bakery, and yesterday morning I stopped by.”
“You’re full of crap, man.”
“I’m serious. I stopped by her bakery. That’s how we met.”
“But you hate sweets.”
“Correction…I used to hate sweets. You should taste her butter pecan cupcakes. They’re addictive.” Like her.
Regal scrunched up his face. “And you met her yesterday morning? You’re comparing a woman you met two days ago to Leandra?”
“I’m not comparing the two. I sense something with Gianna that I haven’t felt in a long time. Something brought us together.”
“Something like what?”
“I don’t know yet, but I intend to find out.”
Regal looked at his brother skeptically. He couldn’t count the women Ramsey had dated in the fifteen years since Leandra had died. He found it hard to believe that not a single one stood a chance of stealing Ramsey’s heart. But after witnessing it for himself, not one of them ever did. Ramsey had once told him that his heart was broken permanently since it was made to love only one woman. When that woman died, so did his desire to love again.
“I know you have this weird standard for the women you date but are you attracted to Gianna physically?”
“I’m more attracted to her soul,” Ramsey responded.
“But that doesn’t answer my question,” Regal said. “And just how does a person become attracted to someone’s soul?”
“Come on, Regal. You know how it is to meet someone, a stranger, and you feel some strange force pulling you to that person, even though you don’t actually know them.”
Regal laughed. “No, I don’t know how that is.”
“Okay, say for instance, you’re on a jog and make eye contact with a woman, nod to her when you pass and later a feeling comes over you like you have some sort of affinity with her. Like you two are in sync even though you don’t know each other.”
“That’s called attraction,” Regal said.
“No, it’s not. Attraction in today’s world is all physical. I’m talking something deeper than physicalities.”
“Okay. Then you’re attracted to her personality is what you’re saying. Her energy.”
“If you want to put it that way, then, yes.”
“And how does Gianna feel about you?”
Ramsey chuckled. “I have no doubt in my mind that she thinks I’m irrational and crazy.”
“Then, I’m with her. I like Gianna already.” Regal laughed. “Seriously, though, Ramsey—I thought the whole point of you signing up at Wedded Bliss was to find an instawife, a companion. Someone you could respect and treat with dignity but never love since you told me you were incapable of falling in love again. Now, all of a sudden, you’re besotted by this Gianna person.”
“What can I say? I couldn’t help myself. My attraction to her soul was instantaneous.”
“So, am I correct to assume that the Wedded Bliss thing is no more?”
“I’m terminating the agreement on Monday since I already have an appointment with them on the calendar for that day. It wasn’t working out, anyway. Get this – the owner sent me three matches for women who, no lie, looked plastic.”
Regal chuckled.
“If I wanted a blow-up doll, I’ll go out and buy one.”
“Ay, maybe that’s what you need…something that can’t love you back.”
Ramsey grinned. “Whatever, man. I just can’t deal with fakeness and I definitely don’t want a woman who’s so obsessed with the way she looks that she’d go so far as to have surgery and facelifts. I’m not into all that. I tried to explain that to the owner of Wedded Bliss and she looked at me like I was speaking German. So, I told her I’d go on their website and find my own match.”
“Let me guess…you never got around to looking for a match because of Gianna.”
A grin formed on Ramsey’s face then widened.
“But hold on…pump the brakes,” Regal said. “Did you check Wedded Bliss to see if Gianna was on there?”
Ramsey frowned. “No, but I’m positive she’s not. She doesn’t date.”
“That’s what she told you, huh?”
“Yes, and before you ask, I believe her.”
Regal nodded since his brother seemed so confident about it, but he couldn’t, for the life of him, get past the fact that Ramsey had just met her yesterday. “When will you see her again?”
“Tomorrow. I’ve finally convinced her to go out with me.”
Regal’s eyebrows raised. “You had to convince a woman to have dinner with you?”
“Odd, right?”
“Indeed, considering how women usually throw panties at you when they see you coming.”
Ramsey chuckled. “You’re getting me confused with yourself. Ain’t no telling what you’ve been doing in Paris.”
“Ay, what happens in Paris, stays in Paris.”
“If you say so.”
Ramsey stood up and said, “I have to get going. Gianna’s expecting a phone call from me and I don’t want to call her too late.”
“Alright, man. I hope you know what you’re doing.” Regal stood up and walked with his brother toward the door. “And we still need to talk about Paris.”
“What’s your gut feeling about the project?” Ramsey asked.
Regal sighed. “Well, with all the intricacies they want in the building’s design, it’ll probably be the longest project we’ve ever taken on.”
“It sounds like you’re leaning towards not taking it.”
Regal opened the front door, and they both stepped outside. Then he said, “My concern is that while we’re spending two years on one project that will yield a ten-million-dollar profit, we could’ve taken on several projects that could nearly triple that.”
Ramsey nodded. “That’s a good point…definitely something to think about.”
“Yeah,” Regal said, sliding his hands into the pockets of his slacks. He looked out into the driveway at Ramsey’s car. “How are you liking the new Audi?”
“It’s a hot ride. Leather seats with ventilation and massage systems, the panoramic sunroof, GPS, the sound system, LED cabin lighting…what’s there not to like?”
“You’ll have to let me take it for a spin so I can make up my mind whether I want to get one.”
“Yeah, man. Stop by the crib later on this week.”
“Alright. I will.”
Ramsey slapped hands with his brother. “Be easy,” he told him, then began walking down the steps leading to the ground.
“Ay, I’ll try to be out there at the site on Monday to make sure you don’t tear someone’s head off.”
Ramsey chuckled. “Everybody knows you don’t get up before nine o’clock.”
“True, but I need to make an exception for this.”
Ramsey pressed the keyless entry button to unlock his car doors. “Sure you will.” He opened the car door and said, “Later.”
Regal threw up a hand in a single wave, then turned around and walked back inside.
Chapter 8
/> “Gianna, do you remember when we were younger?” Gemma asked, with sleep-filled eyes as she rested her head on Gianna’s thighs. They were on the living room sofa, had just finished watching their favorite show and Gianna had powered off the TV.
“How young are you talking?” she asked, twirling the loose end of Gianna’s headscarf with her index finger. “Keep in mind I’m nine and a half years older than you, Gem.”
“I know. I know. I’m talking about when I was nine and you were like nineteen.”
“Okay. What about it?”
“Mom was always in and out of the house. Every time I looked up, there was a different man.”
“Yeah. That was mom, alright.” Gianna shook her head.
“I remember how paranoid you were to go to college because you were afraid to leave me home with her.”
“More like afraid to leave you home alone.”
“Yeah,” Gemma grinned. “Home alone. And you didn’t go to college. You stayed, because of me.”
Gianna smiled remembering.
“Do you regret it?” Gemma asked.
“No, Gem. Why would I regret it? I did the right thing. Even to this day, mom is nowhere to be found. We don’t even know if she’s still alive. So, yes, I did the right thing.”
Gemma smiled lazily. “You could have,” she said faintly then started over again. “You could have been so much without me around.”
“Gemma, don’t say that.”
“It’s true,” Gemma said, sitting up, facing her sister now. “Your life is wasting away along with mine, and I wish you didn’t have to go through this.” A tear rolled down her cheek.
“I don’t mind taking care of you. You’re my sister, and I love you.” Gianna fought back tears. “And you’re the one who shouldn’t have to go through this…this stupid cancer. There’s no reason, whatsoever for you to feel sorry for me.” Gianna left a kiss on her sister’s cheek then looked at her and smiled. “Come on. Let’s get you to bed.”
Gianna followed Gemma to her bedroom and said, “Goodnight, sis.”
“Goodnight,” Gemma replied.
Gianna closed the door, taking a deep breath leaning up against the door as tears welled up in her eyes. Then she continued upstairs to her bedroom. She felt a sense of helplessness when it came to taking care of Gemma. Most days she had to summon the strength to do so. After working all day at the bakery, she still had to clock in when she arrived home to be her sister’s primary caregiver. Every day she convinced herself that she could do it – that God would help give her the strength to keep going. But tonight – tonight was difficult. Tonight, she felt too weak to continue. It was one of those nights at the end of a stressful day where she felt she had more on her plate than she could bear alone. Tonight was overwhelming. Tonight, she couldn’t hold back the tears.
She wiped them away, pulling in a breath afterward to force her body to absorb her sadness. As usual, it worked. She was used to the routine. Okay. Breathe, Gianna. You can’t afford to fall apart. Gemma needs you.
She sat on the bed, close to the nightstand and screwed the cap off of her multivitamins, throwing a pill inside of her mouth. Just as she was about to take a sleeping pill, her phone rang. She looked at the display on her cell and saw that the caller was RSC. That’s what she saved Ramsey St. Claire’s name under in her phone. What was he doing calling her tonight? She didn’t expect him to call tonight.
She chewed on her lip. To answer the phone or not answer the phone. That was the question. But why was she even considering not answering when she promised him she would? So, clearing her throat and plastering a smile on her face in hopes to put herself in a better mood, she answered, “Hello?”
“Hey, cupcake.”
Gianna’s fake smile was instantly replaced by a genuine one. “Hey. I didn’t expect you to call me tonight.”
“I didn’t tell you when I would call.”
“So, you chose to call me 10:32 at night?”
“Yes. You’re not in bed this early, are you?”
“Almost.” She sniffled. “I was taking my vitamins.”
“Are you okay?”
“Ye-yes. I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“Your voice sounds different, and you just sniffled.”
“Oh.” She giggled uncomfortably. “Yeah...I’m fine. Uh…how was your day?”
“You mean after we parted ways at the bakery?”
“Yes.”
“It was okay. I went by my brother’s for a while and now I’m home. I just finished taking a shower. Then I called you right after.”
“Oh,” Gianna said. She could picture his lean muscular body in the shower. Beneath those expensive suits of his, you could just tell he was working with a body out of this world.
“What about you, Gianna? How was your evening?”
My goodness.
His voice sounded good in person, but it translated into something powerfully sexy over the phone. He wasn’t even in her presence, and he had her nerves rattled.
“You there?” he asked.
“Yes. I’m here.”
“Did you hear my question, Gianna?”
“No. Sorry. I was a little distracted.”
“By what?”
Your sexy voice. “Um…nothing.” She sniffled again. “What was your question?”
“I asked about your evening.”
“Oh!” She laughed nervously and out of place. “My evening was a typical evening for me. Nothing exciting.”
“No?”
“Nope.”
“You and your sister didn’t go out clubbing?”
Gianna laughed. “You got jokes.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I’ve never stepped a foot in a club. It’s not my type of fun.”
“I know. I was just playing around with you.”
“And how do you know it’s not my thing?”
“I can tell from your mannerisms and from the way you’ve described yourself to me. I know it’s not something you’d typically do, which leads me to my next question. What is a typical evening for Gianna, the cupcake lady, really like?”
“That’s easy. Eating dinner with my sister, watching TV, doing housework—that sort of thing. Boring right?”
“Not particularly. As long as you’re having a good time…doesn’t really matter what I think.”
Gianna sniffled again.
Ramsey grimaced. “Are your allergies bothering you?”
“No. I don’t have allergy problems.”
Then why do you keep sniffling? Have you been crying? He wanted to ask but decided to go with another question instead. “What side of town do you live on?”
“I live in the University City area, off of Mallard Creek Church Road. Why do you ask?”
“I’m trying to decide on a place to take you. Is Uptown too far for you to drive on a Friday night?” He would’ve preferred to pick her up, but he knew she wouldn’t be comfortable with that.
“No. Where will you be driving from?”
“Lake Norman.”
“Oh. What restaurant did you have in mind?”
“Luce.”
Gianna frowned. “Hmm…never heard of it.”
“It’s spelled L-U-C-E. It’s an Italian restaurant.”
“Is it…um…like upscale?”
“Yes, Gianna. It’s upscale. I want to take you someplace nice.”
“So, I would need to dress up, then?”
She sounded nervous, he could tell and since she didn’t date, she wouldn’t know the protocol for this. This was a stretch for her. “Yes, you would need to dress up but nothing too over-the-top. A simple dress would be nice.”
“What time should I meet you there?”
“Eight-thirty, but, Gianna?”
“Yes?”
“I really would like to pick you up.”
“No! I mean, that’s okay. It’ll be better if I drove.”
“I knew you would say that,” he said, “
But at this point, I’m just glad you agreed to meet me.”
“I can’t believe I agreed. My stomach is in knots just talking to you over the phone. I can’t imagine what it will be like at an actual upscale restaurant.”
“It’ll be fine. Now, I’m going to let you get to bed. Goodnight, Gianna.”
“Goodnight, Ramsey.” Gianna pressed the red button on her touchscreen phone to end the call then smiled as she laid back on the bed. Even though her nerves were shot, she was looking forward to having dinner with Ramsey. But almost instantly after her head hit the pillow, she sat straight up in a state of panic. What about Gemma?
* * *
Ramsey stood up and stretched, sauntering to his office wearing a pair of gray sweatpants. Confirming his date with Gianna felt like the ultimate deal – like he’d just signed a multimillion-dollar contract. The anticipation alone had him smiling.
Sitting in the office chair, he keyed in the password to unlock the laptop then checked his emails. He skimmed through, answered a few and as he was about to exit the email, he saw the email from Felicity James. He clicked on it.
To: Ramsey St. Claire
From: Felicity James
Subject: Temporary Log-in and Password
Mr. St. Claire,
Please find your temporary log-in and password below. If you find any matches within the Wedded Bliss database, please print them out and bring them to your next appointment.
Temporary log-in: PICKY-RSC
Temporary Password: HRD2PL3AS3
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Felicity James
Certified Matchmaker | Wedded Bliss, Inc.
___________
Ramsey smirked and shook his head at her choice of a temporary name and password, basically calling him picky and hard to please by not so subtle means. She was right. He was picky, but when you were Ramsey St. Claire, you could be that way. Successful by his own right, he worked hard to attain his wealth, and that was after losing the love of his life. It had always been a theory of his that if he had the money back then, he could’ve saved Leandra’s life. They were young. He’d dropped out of college to take care of her and no one in his family had money like that. All he could do was take Leandra back and forth to the doctor while realizing that she wasn’t getting any better. And those treatment centers – the commercials looked friendly, inviting and informative, but if you didn’t have money, there was no need in wasting your time. He learned that the hard way when, out of a state of desperation, he drove Leandra to one of their facilities and was turned away.
