by Tina Martin
“Oh. Sorry to hear that.”
Ramsey lowered his fork to the white ceramic plate, dabbed the corners of his mouth with the napkin, then asked, “Do you believe in love?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve just never been in it?”
“That’s correct,” she said.
“What about your parents? Are they still together?”
Goodness. He was hitting her with back-to-back questions. She took a breath. “You sure ask a lot of questions.”
“How else am I supposed to get to know you?” How else do I get to the bottom of why I’m so taken by you? So drawn to you? Ramsey studied her, watching her grow uneasy.
“If we see each other beyond this one date, maybe I’ll tell you about my family. Until then can we just stick to generic topics?”
“You mean, meaningless topics,” he said examining her.
She locked eyes with his dark ones. “No. That’s not what I meant.” She thought for a moment and decided to turn the tables with questions of her own. “What do you do outside of work?”
He exhaled noisily. “Sometimes, I play golf with my brother, Regal. I don’t really have much of a life outside of my work.”
“Do you date?” she asked using her fork to push spaghetti around her plate.
“I do. Sometimes. This is the first date I’ve been on in roughly six years.”
Gianna giggled. “I know you don’t expect me to believe that!” She watched his expression grow more intense.
Instead of answering, Ramsey picked up his glass and finished off the rest of his wine in one small gulp. He set the glass on the table and twirled the stem.
“Okay, he’s serious Gianna. Stop insulting the man.”
A grin settled in the corner of his lips. “You’re talking out loud again. You do realize that right?”
She hid her face behind her hands. “I suck at this. I know. I can’t even make an excuse for myself. I’m horrible.”
He chuckled. “You’re not horrible.”
“I am.”
“Why don’t you believe me when I say I haven’t been on a date in six years?”
“Because honestly, you are handsome and dreamy and accomplished. I imagine women must throw themselves at you.”
“I get that kind of attention from women, but that’s not what I’m looking for. I like a woman who’s interesting. Who keeps me guessing. A woman with ambition—not a woman who only has a body to offer. Frankly speaking, I can get a body from anywhere. I want a heart. A soul.”
“Oh.”
“What about you? What do you want in a man, Gianna?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t given it much thought.”
He grinned a little to cover his building dissatisfaction with her lack of communication skills. “I need you to be a little more open than that.”
“I’m telling you the truth. I haven’t—”
“Tell me what’s in your heart,” he broke in to say.
Gianna sighed heavily. Why did he want to get so deep on the first date?
Trying another approach, Ramsey said, “Look…think of me as one of your girlfriends, okay, and we’re having a discussion about men and I ask you to tell me what qualities you find appealing in a man. What would you say?”
“Honesty, for one,” she answered. “That’s a good quality.”
Ramsey sat back in his chair. That’s not the answer he was seeking but what else did he expect after she already admitted that she didn’t date? This was awkward for her and frustrating for him since he was wanting more than what she was able to give.
“Do you think you’re going to want some dessert?” he asked her.
“No. I’m stuffed,” she said. She wasn’t an expert when it came to this, but if he was asking about dessert, he must’ve been ready to go.
“I’ll get the check when the server comes back. Okay?”
She was right. “Okay.”
After Ramsey paid the check, they walked outside. It was dark now, but the city was just coming alive. Traffic on Tryon Street was bumper to bumper. The sidewalks were filled with people going this way and that way. To clubs. Bars. Restaurants. The EpiCentre.
And here they were about to go their separate ways when the night was still so young. Ramsey had high hopes that time alone with her would get her to open up to him, but that didn’t happen. “Gianna, where’d you park?” he asked.
“A few blocks away.”
“Come on. I’ll walk with you.”
“That’s okay. I can make it there on my own. Thanks for dinner.” She glanced up at him, watching him frown, but didn’t say anything in response. She took a few steps away before she could embarrass herself anymore tonight, but after a few strides of his long legs, he caught up to her. She glanced over at him. He had his hands in his pockets while looking straight ahead, keeping up with her steps. He made no effort to hold her hand like he’d done before. Whatever kind of date this was, she knew she had officially blown it. A part of her felt relieved that she wouldn’t have to worry about ever seeing him again – popping up at her bakery out of the blue, intimidating her with his overbearing presence. But that very same feeling was also the reason she felt a level of sadness. Ramsey was a distraction from the norm for her. Men didn’t give her attention. Open doors for her. Go out of their way to make her talk. Ask her out on dates at fancy restaurants. Make goosebumps run up and down her body with just eye contact alone. But this one did. Now, she wouldn’t have that exciting feeling of what if. What if the weird, miserable baker had a life with a man like Ramsey St. Claire?
She sighed as they got closer to her car. Who was she kidding? Men like Ramsey didn’t end up with ditzy cupcake bakers. It was never something that was meant to be. It was just a date. One date. And she didn’t make a good impression on him. There were several times when he seemed frustrated. Even now, he wasn’t saying anything. Just walking.
“It’s one more block up,” she said breaking the silence between them as they walked along.
“Sorry you had to walk so far,” he said.
“It’s not a problem,” Gianna said. I’m sorry our date was horrible.
“Did you enjoy your meal?” he asked.
She turned to catch a glimpse of him. “Yes, I did.”
Finally, they were approaching her car. She unlocked the door. He opened it for her. There was no parting hug. No dreamy, first-date kiss, not that she was expecting one. She’d probably turn into a pile of sugar if Ramsey’s lips ever touched hers.
“Thanks,” she said, getting inside, adjusting her dress after she put her purse on the front passenger seat.
“You’re welcome. Drive safe on your way home,” he said.
“I will. Thanks.”
With that he, he expelled a long breath and closed the door.
Gianna started the car and checked the mirrors as she pulled out of the parking space and onto the street. Then the self-badgering began. “I’m such a freaking nut case,” she said, talking to herself. “I should’ve said, no. I shouldn’t have gone on the date. Now...now he thinks I’m a complete moron. Why can’t I just be normal? Ugh!”
Thinking that her sister was asleep by now, she called Felicity to find out how Gemma was doing.
“Hello?” Felicity answered, wondering why Gianna was calling her.
“Hey, how’s Gem?”
“Gemma’s asleep,” Felicity told her. “Now get off of this phone and go enjoy your date, girl.”
“There’s nothing left to enjoy. I’m actually on my way back home.”
“Already?”
“Yes. I just left the restaurant.”
“But it’s still early.”
“It’s 10:23 p.m. That’s late by my standards. Anyway, I should be there in about twenty minutes, so feel free to go on home.”
“No, ma’am,” Felicity said. “I want to hear all the details. Get ready to spill the beans when you get here missy.”
“Felicity, please don
’t make me relive the night.”
“Every. Single. Detail. I’ll be waiting. Love you. Drive safe. Bye, chica.”
Gianna dropped her phone on the passenger seat when Felicity ended the call. Her stomach cinched when she thought about how horrible the night had gone with Ramsey and now she had to relay the story to her best friend.
Chapter 10
She parked and walked to her own house feeling like a sore loser. After letting herself in, she dropped her purse on the table in the foyer and met Felicity’s curious stare.
“Don’t hit me with back-to-back questions. I’ve answered enough of those already tonight.”
“Just tell me how it went,” Felicity said. “Wait, first, tell me the man’s name, girlfriend so I can visualize him.”
Gianna shook her head. “You don’t need to know his name or visualize him because I’m never going to see him again. Okay.”
“Whatever. Where did y’all go?”
Gianna fell on the sofa and kicked off her heels. “We went to Luce.”
“Ooh…good choice. That’s the kind of place a man takes you when he wants to propose.”
“Well, trust me when I say there is no proposal in my future. Not from him or anybody else. I wouldn’t know what to do with a man in my life, anyway.”
“Uh, yes you do and you desperately need to do it.” Felicity laughed.
“Whatever Felicity. Anyway, the dinner was a complete catastrophe. When I arrived, he was already there staring at me so hard as I approached the table, I could hardly breathe. But, he was a complete gentleman. He pulled out my chair. I sat down with my nerves already fried. So, I reached for my water goblet and in true Gianna fashion, I knocked it over instead. Water and ice spilled everywhere.”
“Oh, no,” Felicity said.
“But wait…there’s more. It was at this point that I had a full-on panic attack, told him I couldn’t do it—it being the date—and sprinted out of the restaurant.”
Felicity covered her mouth. “No you did not!”
“I did. It gets worse. He followed me outside, convinced me to come back inside after I’d made a complete fool of myself and we resumed dinner. Then the questions started. He wanted to know a bunch of personal things about me. Wanted to know about Gemma. I told him I wanted to keep our discussions about generic topics. He seemed irritated by that.”
“You’re supposed to open up a lil’ bit on the first date, Gianna. I knew I should’ve schooled you before you went out with that man.”
“Trust me, it would’ve been for nothing. You can’t fix me. I am the way I am.”
“Keep talking like that and you’ll die a virgin.”
Gianna darted her tongue out at her friend. “I’d already planned on it.”
Felicity chuckled.
“Get this,” Gianna went on to say. “He told me he hadn’t been on a date in six years and I pretty much called him a liar to his face.”
“You didn’t believe him?”
“No. The man is incredibly hot, Felicity. He’s the epitome of what a man should be. I know he gets a lot of attention from women. Why would I believe he hadn’t been on a date in six years?”
“Hello. You’re pretty smokin’ hot yourself and this was your first date ever.”
“It wasn’t a date.”
“Oh, please it was a date.”
“Well, whatever it was there surely won’t be another. There. End of story.”
Felicity shook her head. “That’s just what you wanted, too isn’t it?”
“Felicity don’t start with me.”
“Somebody needs to. Gosh, you’ve been doing this for how long?”
Gianna stood up and said, “What? Taking care of my sister? Of my responsibilities?”
Gianna walked into the kitchen and took a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
Hot on her trail, Felicity said, “You know what I mean. You have a way of sabotaging any chance of happiness that comes your way. How long are you going to keep living this way?”
“What do you want me to do, Felicity? What choice do I have? Gemma is my sister. I’m her caregiver. I take care of her. I work every day for her.” Her eyes teared up. “I bust my butt every single day and take every dime I have just to pay for her treatment. I don’t have time for anything or anyone else.”
Felicity walked over to her friend and wrapped her arms around her. “You know I love you, Gianna.”
“I know.”
“I just want you to be happy. You’ve given up so much. You deserve some happiness, too.”
“Trust me. I’ve had these in-depth conversations with God. He knows I can’t take much more,” she said tearfully.
Felicity released her and said, “I’ll be at the bakery to help you out tomorrow.”
“No, Felicity. Don’t give up your Saturday for me. I’ll be fine.”
“No. Saturday is your busiest day. I’m going to help you. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Let me go so I can rest up. See you in the morning, doll.”
Gianna pinched tears away from her eyes and said, “Okay.”
Chapter 11
Ramsey swung the nine iron and whacked the golf ball so hard, he could’ve cracked it open.
“You cool?” Regal asked with one eyebrow arched up.
“Yeah. I’m cool,” Ramsey grumbled.
“Are you sure about that?”
Ramsey whacked another. “Yeah. I’m fine,” he said, striking yet another one with all his might.
“A’ight. Timeout. Let’s take a break. You obviously need one.”
Ramsey dropped his club in the bag and walked with Regal to the Country Club’s clubhouse. He fixed up a cup of coffee then sat in a lounge chair. He took a sip and glanced up at the investigative eyes of his brother.
“Go on. Get it off your chest, man,” Regal said.
“It’s…nothing.”
“It’s this woman isn’t it?”
Ramsey frowned.
“What happened?” Regal asked.
“I asked her out to dinner.”
“And what? She shot you down?”
“No. It took a lot of coaxing on my part, but she accepted. However, it didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped.”
“Let me guess...she’s already involved with someone.”
“No, she’s not.”
“Then?”
Ramsey set his coffee cup on the table. “She won’t let me in.”
Regal chuckled. “You just met her and you’re already trying to get in?”
“I’m not talking about sex, Regal.”
“I know. I’m just messing with you, Ram.”
“Well, I’m not in the mood for games. If you want to give me advice, give me advice.”
“Okay,” Regal said. “You’re serious.”
“Yes, I’m serious. I really like this woman.”
“I see that. You have to give me a while to process this new you. I never thought I’d see the day when my big brother would fall for a complete stranger after fifteen years of avoiding anything close to a real relationship.”
Ramsey rubbed his hands across his head.
“So, what happened? Dinner didn’t go smoothly, you said.”
“No, it didn’t. Gianna was a nervous wreck, but I expected that so it wasn’t much of a problem for me. The problem is, she only wanted to keep our conversations on the surface. I wanted to delve deeper. I wanted to know her family, her motivation for running a bakery—I wanted to know everything.”
Regal lifted a brow. “On the first date?”
“Yes. I know it sounds crazy, but yes I wanted to know it all.”
“Do you think that’s fair to her? To completely offload her life on someone she just met?”
“No, I don’t. Typically I wouldn’t ask that of anyone but this woman...”
Regal sat up and stared at his brother for a moment. Ramsey was truly in anguish. “Gianna must be some woman.”
A smile came to Ram
sey’s face. “She is,” Ramsey said, thinking about her. He hated how last night ended, and he got the vibe from her that she was glad the date was over especially since she had been uneasy from the get-go.
“Tell me about her.”
His eyes darted up at his brother. “Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. I know when you’re not in a joking mood and I also know you haven’t been on a date in like fifteen years.”
“Six years,” Ramsey clarified.
“My bad,” Regal said. The fifteen-year span was the time that had passed since Leandra had died. “Okay, six. There must be something special about this particular woman. Tell me.”
Ramsey shuffled through his thoughts. “She’s refreshing. Honest. She always smells sweet. When I look into her eyes, whenever she gives me the opportunity to do so, I see things she won’t tell me.” He looked up at his brother. “You know how when women meet us and they’re trying hard to be pretty and impressive just to get our attention because of who we are?”
“All too well my brother.”
“And when you look at them, all you see is a body. No soul. You look into their eyes and nothing’s there.”
Regal bunched up his eyebrows. “I think I get what you’re trying to say.”
“In contrast, when I look into Gianna’s eyes, I see pain. I see hurt and anguish. Disappointment. Even beyond her smiles—beyond her frazzled nerves, I can see it. That’s what I wanted to know. I wanted to know the source of that pain. I know I have no right to know, but I feel like I can be selfish this time. I want to know.”
“You’re attracted to her pain?”
“No. I’m attracted to her heart—the place where she’s holding the pain. I told you something is pulling me toward her and I—I can’t let go. Even after last night.” He rubbed his hand across his mustache.
“And you’ve never felt anything like this before?”
“No. Never.”
“What does she do again?”
“She owns a bakery. She makes cupcakes—all varieties.”
“How do you know that? I told you...that’s where I met her. I walked into her bakery one day.”
“Right…which still has me thrown considering you don’t eat sweets. Why would a person who hates sweets step foot into a bakery?”
