Diamonds Are Forever

by India Lee

  “You sure you’re not bothered by all that out there?” Damian asked, looking at Tyler and Sophie as well.

  “I’m sure,” she answered, quickly. At least not in the way you might be implying. “I just have a lot of adjusting to do.”

  TYLER CHASE IS OFFICIALLY OFF THE MARKET

  Celeb-O-Matic

  June 30th

  After ducking media and camera attention for the last six months, Tyler Chase returned with a big announcement – he’s engaged!

  Chase arrived at the annual Gotham Ball in a stunning all-black tuxedo and his equally stunning fiancée, Sophie Akerman. Akerman, a New England native, met Chase while serving his table at her family restaurant in Vermont. When asked if it was intimidating or daunting for her to meet and subsequently date a star like Tyler Chase, she answered simply, “It doesn’t have to be.”

  With ex-girlfriends like Desiree Silver and Queen Bee under his belt, here’s hoping Chase gets a drama-free romance with his new, non-industry sweetie!

  THE COURT TURNS HEADS AT GOTHAM BALL

  La Fashionista Independiente

  July 2nd

  I’m by no means in the majority with my excitement for Gemma Hunter’s new fashion line, The Court. And considering my blog doesn’t have the traffic that some of the bigger, more skeptical blogs have, I doubt I’ll be changing any minds.

  That being said, I had the fortune of being red carpet-side for The Gotham Ball and every time I saw a piece that really stuck out to me, I would learn that it was designed by Gemma Hunter for The Court. And there’s no confirmation bias there – I can assure you. I actually really, genuinely expressed loved for certain pieces only to be told later that it was The Court (check out the slideshow of my photos if you need the proof). And I wasn’t the only one! It’s just that no one stuck around to learn who made the pieces they said they were into or just assumed it was something from an already known designer.

  I know I don’t mean a whole lot in this industry, but what ears and eyes I may have – I just want to say that Gemma Hunter is the real deal. It’s sad that no one’s taking notice of her obvious talent just because she happened to have originally gotten her name out with a career she didn’t really seem to want. But I have trust in my taste and my eye for the next big thing and I tend to be forgiving – which is why I’m going to say it here first – The Court’s going to be big one day, so much so that people will forget that Hunter was ever anything but a designer.

  Too bad only a dozen or so of you will see this!

  Chapter 5

  DAMIAN EVANS TO PLAY FOR NEW YORK

  The Big Assist

  July 9th

  Finally, the city has a reason to celebrate.

  After months of speculation, Damian Evans has announced that he will be donning the orange and blue this season. “It has always been a childhood dream to play for the New York Knicks,” said Evans in a statement. “I appreciate everything the Warriors organization has done for me over the years and I wish my coaches and teammates all the best.”

  Evans will play a crucial role as a new member of the team, more than likely taking on the role of New York’s starting point guard.

  “We’ve needed a true point guard for a long time,” said fellow Knick and future teammate, Marc Outlaw. “It’s a relief to have someone like Damian on the roster. He’s a leader and what this team needs right now is a leader on the court and in the locker room. It’s a huge signing. I have high expectations for this season. New York should get ready for the new look Knicks.”

  Gemma sat back, admiring the backroom’s slow transformation into a fully functional studio. Armand had brought in an interior decorator friend, an eccentric lady named Cat, who had sectioned the sewing machines and rolls of cloth and drafting tables into an aesthetically pleasing workplace. Gemma could feel the difference in the way she and her team were working in their newly organized space.

  As requested, the nook below the stairs was left untouched, allowing Gemma to personalize the space as she pleased. Unfortunately, she hadn’t quite found the time to do so yet, what with all the planning and preparation that came with having a tent at Fashion Week. Gemma sighed, sinking into a sleek, leather office chair that Cat had brought in. She sat there, admiring the flurry of fabrics and threads before her, hustling to put together the looks that had until recently, existed only inside her head. Gemma cursed herself for spilling her cup of coffee earlier, eliminating her third injection of caffeine for the workday. She felt a sleepy now, in need of a quick break before she could continue.

  “Is the queen enjoying her throne?” Armand asked, stepping into the studio and handing her a cell phone. Gemma took it, realizing it was her own. She hadn’t checked it in hours. “You left this out front, but I can see you don’t miss it.”

  “You’re right about that.”

  “Taking a break to enjoy this beautiful sight, my love?”

  “Yes,” Gemma sighed, happily. It was a culmination of all the pieces she had created in the past years and a smaller selection of the hard work that she had put into The Court. It was beautiful indeed, and quite possibly the proudest she had ever been of her own career. She was so close to making her Fashion Week debut. She was about to have a show all to herself. And despite all the exhaustion and pressure and nerves that she felt, Gemma’s overriding emotion was blissful excitement.

  “You should check your phone, you were getting text messages. I actually only brought it in because it was annoying Cat out there. She says the buzzing breaks her focus and blah, blah, diva talk.”

  “Oh,” Gemma laughed, unlocking her phone. She had three text messages from Damian. “Wow, three messages and she was annoyed.”

  “Do not poke fun at that genius out there. She can kill with her stare alone. And I will be the first to go.”

  Gemma opened the texts. She saw three short messages.

  Hey, what’re you doing now?

  Are you in the city?

  Nothing urgent, but I could use some help

  ~

  “Thanks for coming,” Damian smiled, handing her a coffee and a raspberry scone. “New York real estate is making my head spin.” Gemma smiled, taking his unexpected offer of breakfast and settling it in the cup holder between them. They sat together in the backseat of Andy’s car with Andy in the passenger seat and his driver at the wheel. Andy was a family friend of Damian’s, as well as his real estate agent. Though he was the same age a Damian, Andy had already built quite a name for himself as a local agent.

  But Andy wasn’t as helpful as he had hoped. Damian had apparently texted Gemma out of panic the night before, unexpectedly overwhelmed by the decisions he needed to make regarding where to live. Gemma sipped on her coffee as they made their way across the Manhattan Bridge.

  “So why Brooklyn? Isn’t it a little out of the way for you?” Gemma asked. “I’m pretty sure even most of the Brooklyn Nets live in Manhattan.”

  “There’s a little more quiet out there,” Damian replied. “And just a little more space.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “And my parents were also from here originally,” he explained. “My mom was from Bensonhurst and my dad from Fort Greene.”

  “I don’t think I knew that,” she replied. He shrugged.

  “They went to the same high school but didn’t end up together until sometime at the end of college. Then they moved to Beauford when they found out they were having me.”

  “So do you know Brooklyn at all?” Gemma asked.

  “A little. Just from family get-togethers during the holidays. Not very much at all,” Damian laughed. “Which was what I realized when I was here on my own yesterday. Between not knowing the neighborhoods and all the options of pre-war, post-war, condos, rent, buy – I don’t know. I couldn’t handle it.”

  “Well, I’ll do what I can to help,” Gemma said with a smile.

  “We’ll be starting in DUMBO, that would be Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass for ya, newbi
e,” Andy said, looking at Damian through the rearview mirror. “It’s a small neighborhood close to Manhattan and it’s got views of the water and the bridge, like your place in the Bay Area.” Andy turned to Gemma with a roll of the eyes. “All this dude could say yesterday when I asked him what he wanted was, ‘I don’t know. Something like my old place but in Brooklyn.’ This man has given zero thought on what he wants to live in. Guess that decision to sign with the Knicks was that draining.”

  “It was, man,” Damian laughed. “Give me a break.”

  “Whatever, dude,” Andy grinned. “Just give us something to cheer for, for once.”

  Shortly after getting off the bridge, Gemma found their car passing the patisserie that she had gone to with Zoe a few weeks back. The car pulled up on a cobblestone road.

  Gemma scurried after Andy and Damian and into the building. Though the exterior looked like an old factory, the lobby was grand and finished in a way that made it look brand new. She recalled her own real estate agent showing her pictures of the building when she had first started her apartment hunt.

  “You’re gonna love this place,” Andy said. “Ultimate bachelor pad. Pantydropper.”

  “Andy, come on,” Damian said, tilting his head towards Gemma.

  “I’m sure Gemma has heard the term pantydropper before,” Andy scoffed. “She doesn’t need you to protect her ears.”

  “Yeah, Damian,” Gemma teased, poking his arm. “I don’t need you shielding me from the word pantydropper.” Damian smiled to himself, shaking his head and biting his lip as he watched the elevator numbers go up. Gemma wondered if he was recalling the time she wouldn’t say groin while measuring him. God, I hope not, she silently prayed as the elevator took them up to the apartment.

  The silver doors opened directly to another door. Andy punched a combination into the keypad attached to the doorknob. It beeped, swinging open to reveal a sun-drenched open space with floor to ceiling windows covering three of the four walls.

  “It’s a one bedroom, bedroom has a balcony facing wes. Like I said – pantydropper. Am I right, Gemma?” Andy asked, turning towards her.

  “I’d say so,” Gemma said, admiring the breathtaking view. She stood in the middle of the living room, stunned by just how much she could see in a single shot. On one end, she could see the Manhattan Skyline – everything from the Freedom Tower to the Empire State Building – all set behind the East River and all the bridges that crossed it. On the other end, she could make out the distant outlines of the Statue of Liberty.

  “So?” Andy said. “Can we just have you say yes and call it a night? I have a date at eight and I have grooming I need to do.”

  “This is the first apartment I’ve seen today,” Damian laughed. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I totally am. I showed you this first because I want it to be the last. If you want Brooklyn, have this Brooklyn. You can’t get this view in Manhattan, you know. Because the view is Manhattan.”

  “Damn. Good sell, Andy,” Damian smiled. “I see why you do as well as you do.”

  “Shut up, man, and sign the papers.”

  “I’m not just going to agree to the first place I see,” Damian said. “My trust for you only extends so far.”

  “Ouch,” Andy made a stabbing motion at his heart. He turned to Gemma. “He’s still holding shit against me. From our childhood, Gemma. We went to basketball camp together and I tripped him to get the ball, cause that’s what I thought defense was back then.”

  “Andy, we were on the same team,” Damian laughed.

  “Okay, but we’re adults now and things are different, and you can’t deny this beauty,” Andy said, emphasizing his words by slapping the back of his hand against his open palm.

  “I still kind of want to see the other places,” Damian said. “Tell me you had something else in mind.”

  “I didn’t, okay?” Andy said, throwing his hands in the air. “I thought I was doing my friend a favor with this spot. I didn’t know normal men our age would say no to a place like this. Scratch that, I didn’t know humans of any age, who aren’t concerned with baby-proofing, would say no to this spot.” He pulled out his phone. “I’ll see what I can do though. Just give me a second. Look around in the meantime, okay man? Gemma, please, help me out and get this man in his right mind.”

  “Okay,” Gemma said, dutifully. She glanced up at Damian, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Why don’t you like it here?”

  “I like it fine,” Damian replied. “It’s gorgeous, there’s no denying that. I just don’t know that this is what I had in mind.”

  “But it’s by water and the bridges, like you said with your place out west.”

  “I said I wanted a place like the one I had,” Damian said. “But I think I meant more so something homey and comfortable, not necessarily by water and bridges. I really made a home out of that place and I want the same feeling here.”

  “Damian, it’s beautiful here,” Gemma smiled gently.

  “Yeah, but I need more than that,” he replied, crossing his arms as he continued to survey the space.

  “It’ll feel more like home when you actually put stuff in it,” Gemma replied. “Or when you’ve lived in it for long enough.” She paused, laughing at herself. “But I’m being a hypocrite for saying this because my place is so untouched I only realized last week that I’m not sure I’ve actually ever opened my refrigerator.”

  “You’re probably not home much,” he said, turning to look at her.

  “I’m really not,” Gemma shrugged. “And you probably won’t be either. I mean, half your season’s going to be on the road.”

  “All the more reason I want a place to come back to that doesn’t feel like I’m still out or partying,” Damian said.

  “Fair.”

  “What’s your place like?” Damian asked. Gemma cocked her head, wondering how to describe it.

  “It’s in Chelsea. It’s smaller than this place, for sure,” she laughed. “But I like it. I like feeling cozy somewhere I can call my own, be alone with my thoughts, you know – daydream.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about,” Damian smiled, taking Gemma’s hand and pulling her closer. “I’m not sure Andy wants to understand that though.”

  Gemma looked over at Andy who was kneeling on the ground, scribbling notes into a notepad as he talked on the phone. She laughed, turning back towards Damian and leaning into his chest. She looked up at him with a crooked little smile.

  “That’s because Andy’s a guy friend, and as a guy friend, he’ll always have your pantydropping needs in mind,” Gemma said, her voice low and hushed. And surprisingly, a little raspy. She bit the corner of her lip the second she finished her sentence. She hadn’t quite planned to wrap her lips around the word pantydropping like that – it just happened.

  Damian blinked back at her. Gemma braced herself for the impending awkward moment that would come between them. But instead, Damian narrowed his eyes at her, causing a twinkle of mischief to skip across them. He was known for that in high school – that look that made girls stop and wonder what was going on in his mind. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched him.

  “I kind of hate that word,” Damian finally said. Gemma frowned. She hadn’t expected that particular thought from him, not with the way he was looking at her.

  “Oh,” she said. “I’ll stop saying it then.”

  “Actually,” Damian smiled, bringing a hand up under her jaw. He brushed his thumb over the corner of her lips, dropping his gaze to them. Gemma felt her heart stop. He dropped his voice to the same hushed tone she had used on him before. “I was going to say that I kind of like it coming out of you.”

  She paused, stunned. In a flash, Gemma rifled through her mind, searching through mental records of every one of her reactions with Damian. She was looking for anything similar that he had done in the past, anything that would indicate that this was maybe normal behavior for him. The search turned up empty.

  “
I…” she uttered, wetting her lips and swallowing hard to keep her composure.

  “Alright, I have a couple more places for you,” Andy said, stepping up onto his feet. Damian dropped his hand from Gemma’s face. “I’ve got some cozier, old man styles for you in Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill. Don’t know why you’d want to be in those places at twenty-three, but who am I to argue, I guess.”

  ~

  By the end of the night, Damian had started the paperwork for a townhouse on a small street off of DeKalb Avenue. It was in his dad’s old neighborhood of Fort Greene, and was probably about the same amount of space as the DUMBO loft, but spread out onto three separate floors. Gemma loved the rooftop space and the small backyard – two things that were scarce in Manhattan.

  “He’s crazy, right?” Andy asked, lighting a cigarette as he stepped up next to Gemma. Gemma looked up the stairs to the front door, where Damian was talking excitedly on the phone with his father.

  “It’s definitely an unconventional choice,” Gemma replied. “But I do love the space.”

  “Yeah, I guess it’s not bad,” Andy shrugged. “He could probably do some cool barbecue and beer-tasting parties in the backyard. I would go to those.”