by Tina Martin
“You’re right. I don’t know how it feels to be poked and prodded. I’m in good health. I have no reason to be poked, but I do know how it feels to have hope, only to be let down. I know that all too well. I was engaged, fifteen years ago. She—she died of lung cancer. The woman I loved with all of my heart died. There was nothing I could do then, but there is something I can do for you, Gemma. Gianna loves you. You said it yourself—she’d do anything for you, right?”
Gemma nodded.
“Then don’t you think it’s time to return the favor? Time to do something for her? It’s easy to give up, but in life, you have to fight. Fight with all the love you feel for your sister and try to work with me here, Gem. Now, I’ve already contacted the nearest cancer treatment center. It’s in Georgia. When I get you scheduled, can you commit to going?”
Gemma looked downward.
“Come on, Gem. Do it for Gianna.”
“That’s the thing…I thought I was doing everything I’m doing for Gianna. I know the doctor is selling me false hopes.”
“That doctor. Yes. But did you know that surgery can cure lung cancer in some patients?”
“It can?”
“Yes. The doctor didn’t mention that to you, huh?”
“No.”
“See, that’s what I’m talking about. I guarantee you if your doctor knew you had someone who’d be willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars, he’d change his tune.”
“You’d be willing to do that for—for me?”
“Yes, Gemma. I am not going to stand around and do nothing. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been convincing yourself that death is the easiest way out…I can’t let you die.”
Tears came to her weak eyes.
Ramsey reached across the table and held Gemma’s fragile hands. “I promised you that I would take care of your sister. The first day I met you, I made that promise to you, remember?”
Gemma nodded.
“A big part of taking care of Gianna is taking care of you. Okay?”
Gemma nodded again.
Ramsey stood up and invited her to stand with him. Carefully, he placed his hand on her head and held her close to him as she cried. “Don’t cry, Gemma. Everything’s going to be okay now.”
Gemma continuously wept in his arms and he consoled her. And while he did so, he recognized the differences between his reaction to Gemma in tears versus his reaction to Gianna. To see any woman cry was hard for him – for any real gentleman – but Gemma’s tears weren’t as nearly as painful to take as Gianna’s. Amazing how he had such strong feelings for a woman he’d known less than a month. She grew on him faster than any other woman he’d ever taken a liking to after Leandra died. And there were plenty he had liked but never one whom he introduced to his parents. His brothers. Never one he’d invited into his home. Never one he’d give the world for. But for Gianna, he looked forward to doing all these things, and he’d do anything within his power to take care of her and Gemma.
Gemma’s cries slowly ceased and he released her, staring down into her eyes. “I’m not going to let you fail, Gemma. You’re nineteen. You have so much living to do. Do you know that?”
She smiled through her tears. “If you say so, Ramsey.”
“I do say so. Now, finish up your breakfast and get some rest, sweetie.”
“Okay.”
“We’ll talk again, soon.”
Chapter 10
“I sent everybody a revised copy of the Davenport Tower,” Regal said.
“I’m looking at it now,” Ramsey said staring at the thirty-four-inch curved monitor on his desk. He had the blueprint on the left side of the screen, his uploaded hand sketch of the building on the right and his email inbox opened on the middle screen.
Royal and Romulus were looking at the revised design from their Surface Pro tablets. Ramsey rubbed his chin, thinking. “Regal, remind me what this tower is to be used for again.”
“For business offices. My guess would be businesses like insurance companies, banks...the bottom floor will house a few restaurants and shops, similar to The Americas Bank tower on the corner of Trade and Tryon. Do you know what I’m talking about?”
“Yes, I’m familiar,” Ramsey responded.
“How many floors does that building have?” Romulus asked.
“Fifty,” Regal answered.
“By the way, I confirmed that the location by The View is available and zoned for thirty or more floors,” Romulus said. “So, if all else fails, we can use it as an option.”
“And I found out why the area near the Westin isn’t zoned for thirty floors,” Royal chimed in to say. “It’s an aesthetics issue. The city believes the area would be better served with a shorter structure in order to keep up the Uptown appeal.”
Ramsey looked up at his brother. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“I wish I was, bruh, but that was their exact words. Caught me off guard.”
“We could fight them on that,” Regal said. “It’s nonsense. I guarantee you, if we walk away from that site, there will be a tower being constructed there in less than a year.”
“No doubt about it,” Romulus said.
“What do you suggest we do, Royal?” Ramsey asked looking at his brother.
Royal looked surprised. “You’re asking me?”
“Yes. I’m asking you.”
“In that case, I suggest we proceed with our plans for thirty floors—”
“Even though we can’t get zoned for thirty?” Ramsey asked.
Regal glanced at Ramsey. He knew Ramsey was testing Royal. Ramsey had an issue with Royal thinking he was in charge. Since he wanted to parlay like he had some authority, Ramsey was testing him to see if he would’ve made the same decision as he would have regarding this particular matter.
“Yes. We should move forward,” Royal said a second time, confirming his conviction. “I’m sure the city has tried this tactic with other businesses as well in order to keep certain areas vacant for new construction that they want in the area. This is unacceptable and I think we should give them a little heat. In the meantime, it would be wise to lay out all our cards with Dan so he knows what we’re working on and what the possible hiccups may be. Who knows, he may decide to pull the project from the old location and request a different area—to which Romulus has already found a suitable backup.”
All eyes went back to Ramsey. “Good call, Royal. Let’s go into the meeting with Dan with Royal’s plan and we’ll take it from there.”
Royal’s brows raised. “Seriously?”
“Yes,” Ramsey answered. “Seriously.”
“You’re actually going with my plan?” Royal asked. Like his other brothers, he couldn’t believe it either.
Ramsey smirked. “Yes, Royal. I’m going with your plan.”
“What’s the catch?” Royal asked, narrowing his eyes. Ramsey never went with his plan. Why the sudden strategic shift? Did he think his plan was garbage and wanted to see him fail, or did he legitimately believe he’d presented a good idea?
“There is no catch, Royal. I realize we’ve been clashing a lot lately and I want to clear this bad air between us and trust you to do what I hired you to do. It wouldn’t make sense for me to hire you to be the troubleshooter, then not let you troubleshoot issues when they arise. So, I’m taking a step back.”
“Well, that’s a first,” Royal said.
“Don’t make me change my mind,” Ramsey said.
Romulus glanced at Ramsey, then said, “Don’t worry, Royal. He’s not going to change his mind as long as he has Gianna to occupy his time.”
“Even if I didn’t, I still need to trust Royal to do his job. Now, let’s get ready to meet with Dan.”
“Alright,” Royal said standing.
Romulus followed Royal out of the office.
Regal stayed put. When the office door swung closed, he asked Ramsey, “So, what’s the latest? Did she agree to marry you?”
“I haven’t heard anythi
ng yet. I instructed Felicity to tell her about my proposal today. She’s probably telling her right now, as we speak.”
“Do you think she’ll go for it?”
“I hope so.”
“You like her that much?”
Ramsey’s eyes beamed with joy and truth. “Yes, I like her that much.”
“Then I need to meet this girl.”
“You’ll meet her when I convince her to come to one of our family dinners.”
Regal’s eyes brightened. “You want her to meet mom and dad?”
Ramsey’s smiled widened at his brother’s shocked expression. “Yes, but only as my wife.”
“Oh, then I’m going to that bakery tomorrow. I have to meet this woman, ASAP.”
“That’s cool. Maybe if you meet her, you’ll understand my obsession—I mean attraction—to her, but even if you don’t understand, I don’t care. She’s my girl.”
“Whoa,” Regal said with his palms up in front of him. “Okay, Ram. I get it, but if it all goes as you plan, wouldn’t you want your girl to get along with the family, especially mom? You know she’ll have to pass the mom test.”
“She will, but I’m sure mother would just be happy that I’m married. She wouldn’t give any consideration to the details of how it happened as long as it did.”
“True,” Regal responded. “Whatever the case, I’m heading to the bakery tomorrow. It does open on Saturdays, right?”
“Yeah.”
“What’s the name of it again?”
“The Boardwalk Bakery, at the University City Boardwalk right across from Chico’s.”
Regal frowned. “Chico’s? What’s Chico’s?”
“It’s a women’s clothing store, but since you’ve never heard of it, you probably won’t know where it is. So, do you know where The Wine Cellar is or House of Leng? Any of those ring a bell?”
“Oh, yeah. I know where House of Leng is.”
“It’s the building next to it. You’ll see Chico’s. The bakery is right across from there.”
Regal stood up. “Cool. I can’t wait to see what little miss cupcake is made of.”
A smile altered Ramsey’s lips and a vibrant glow sparkled in his eyes when he replied, “She’s made of everything in this world that’s sweet.”
Chapter 11
Business was good at the bakery this Saturday morning as it usually was on Saturdays, but especially today since the weather was forecasted to be in the late seventies—early eighties. The bakery was fifty percent filled with customers and Felicity was there too, helping Gianna. She’d just taken another batch of cupcakes from the oven.
Business was great. Gianna, not so much.
Officially burnt out, Gianna sat in the office doing computer work while Felicity manned the front counter and took cupcake pans from the oven.
“Hey chica,” Felicity said peeping around the door to Gianna’s office.
Gianna looked up at her. She’d been massaging her tired eyes with balled fists.
“You look a mess, Gianna. Go home and let ya girl handle this.”
“No, I’m fine. I just need to figure out some things here.”
“Girl, go home. You’ve already baked enough cupcakes to feed all of Charlotte so it’s not like I’m going to run out. Let me handle it. I know you’re worried about Gemma anyway so...”
She was worried about Gemma. When was she not worried about Gemma? Harriet didn’t work on weekends, and it bothered Gianna to leave the house in the morning while Gemma was still sleeping. “I am worried, but I’ll call her.”
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Felicity said.
Gianna frowned. Already tense, she snapped, “How can you be sure she’s fine? You don’t know her like I know her, Felicity.”
“I’m just trying to console you somehow. To be your friend. I don’t want you freaking out back here for no good reason.”
“Let me worry about me, okay? You…just…just leave me alone for a minute.”
Felicity didn’t say a word more. Gianna’s stress level was already up, she knew, so she simply turned and walked away.
Gianna picked up her cell and dialed Gemma’s number.
She didn’t get an answer. She dialed again.
No answer.
She glanced at the clock. It was 10:35 a.m. That was early for Gemma so maybe she was still resting. Gianna closed her eyes. Took a breath. She couldn’t panic now – not when she was on the verge of losing her business. Her house. And now she had to contemplate Ramsey’s proposal. How he would magically make all of her problems go away if she agreed to marry him. She massaged her throbbing temples
, angling her head down, catching sight of the $2,100 she owed Queen City Properties. While she could desperately use the help, she wouldn’t allow money to be a motivating factor in determining if she would marry someone.
* * *
Regal stepped inside of The Boardwalk Bakery, taking in the pink walls – black tables and black and white tiled floors. The place wasn’t crowded like the small ice cream shop just a few doors away but it had a good amount of people with kids stuffing cupcakes into their little mouths. But it was the woman behind the counter that caught his attention – that made his heart skip a beat. Wow!
“Jeez, she’s beautiful,” he said under his breath as he approached the counter. He smirked. He should’ve known Ramsey’s girl would end up being breathtaking. Ramsey always preached about being attracted to someone’s heart – their soul – yet this woman was an exquisite beauty who looked exotic with her full lips, big eyes and high cheekbones.
He licked his lips. Dang. What am I doing? I can’t be attracted to my brother’s girl. He smiled to himself and shook his head, still taking in the features that were slowly taking his breath away with each step he took towards her. Her hair was in a net, but it didn’t hinder the lovely features of her face. Her eyes were a rich mocha brown. Skin – a thick, lickable chocolate.
Lickable. Really, Regal? Pull yourself together. This is Ramsey’s girl, and he better be glad he saw her first.
Felicity’s frown deepened as the man got closer to the counter. She knew the guy was in some way related to Ramsey. They looked too much alike not to be related. What she couldn’t figure out was why he was staring at her like she was a juicy piece of watermelon. And did Ramsey really send a member of his family here to check up on her progress with Gianna? To see how she was coming along in getting Gianna to sign his proposal? The very thought incensed her. How dare he.
Fighting back irritation, she forced herself to say, “Welcome to The Boardwalk Bakery. What can I get for you?”
“Oh, I didn’t actually come to get a cupcake. I—”
“I figured you didn’t. You’re here because of Ramsey, correct?”
Regal squinted. “That’s correct. Ramsey is my brother. I’m Regal. I told him I was going to come down here today so I can meet you.” He didn’t know what to make of it just yet, but the chick seemed pissed about something. This couldn’t be her normal demeanor, could it? Felicity’s eyebrows shot up to the ceiling. “So you could meet me? Why do you want to meet me?”
“Well, for obvious reasons. My brother—”
“Okay, let me stop you right there, Randy.”
“It’s Regal.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You can waltz right on up out of here and tell Ramsey I don’t need him sending human drones down here to spy on me. If he wants to know how I’m doing, he can bring his butt down here himself.”
Regal frowned. Confused. This was the woman his brother was infatuated with? A slick-at-the-mouth broad with an attitude problem? And she was still glaring at him with her mean, pretty self. Regal was all for respecting women and even though this woman had a bad attitude, he would still respectfully leave, but not without offering her a few words of his own. “I know Ramsey wanted a wife, but jeez—I didn’t think he was desperate enough to settle for one with an attitude problem. I’m sorry I wasted my time coming down here.”
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It wasn’t until he made the statement that Felicity realized the misunderstanding here – he was looking for Gianna, not her, and he must’ve thought she was Gianna since she was working the cash register.
“Excuse me,” she said.
Regal was steps away from the door when he decided to turn back around as it seemed her voice was projecting toward him. “Yes? Do you have more venom to spew at me?”
She smirked. “It’s not like you have the best attitude, so whatever. Anyway, I think you’re looking for my friend Gianna. She’s in the back. In her office.”
A smile grew on his face and relief settled in his chest. “You’re not Gianna?”
“No. I’m Felicity...”
“Felicity…the Wedded Bliss chick?”
Felicity narrowed her eyes. “How do you know about my business?”
“Ramsey told me all about it. It’s definitely not something I would ever try but me and Ramsey are two completely different people. Now, where is the office so I can meet my sister-in-law?”
“Don’t you think you’re being a little presumptuous? Gianna hasn’t agreed to marry your brother yet.”
“She will.”
Felicity crossed her arms. “And how can you be so sure?”
“It’s been over a decade since I’ve seen a spark in my brother’s eyes when he talks about a woman. It’s there every single time he mentions Gianna. Now, where is she?”
Felicity rolled her eyes, not thrilled with his persistence. “I’ll go get her.” She turned away and immediately felt his presence, the heat of his body right behind her. She turned around and nearly growled when she said, “Customers are not allowed back here.”
“They are when they’re related to the owner.”
“Good grief you’re just as annoying as your brother.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment coming from a smart-mouth chick like you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just what I said.” Regal looked amused at the frown lines disturbing an otherwise beautiful face. And if she knew what was best for her, she’d take the pout out of those lips or he’d do it for her.
