by Tina Martin
“Hey, Ralph, how’s it going, man?”
Ralph sighed. “This UC project is going to be the death of me.”
“Yeah, I was just reading an email that Ramsey forwarded to me about a lumber problem. What’s going on with that?”
“Okay, so there is a shortage for the type of lumber we’re using for this site. I knew this could be an issue if we went with a higher grade of lumber instead of the standard, and sure enough, we have a problem.”
“Yep. I remember when you brought up the issue in the early planning phase. That’s why I already have two suppliers on standby with reserves set aside for us—Genesis Suppliers and K.B. Builders. All you have to do is submit a request through purchasing and they’ll handle placing the order.”
“Oh,” Ralph said. “Are they already set up in our system?”
“They are.”
“Well, crisis averted. Which company do you recommend I contact first?”
“Go with Genesis. They should have enough to hold us over.”
“Awesome. Thanks, Royal.”
“Not a problem. Listen, if you have any other issues, feel free to come to me with them. Don’t bother Ramsey unless you absolutely have to. I was hired to tackle these kinds of problems.”
“Okay. Will do, Royal. Thanks again, man.”
“Yep,” Royal said, hanging up. After he did so, he immediately replied to Ramsey’s email that all was well.
“Yo!” Regal said, barging into Royal’s office.
Royal glanced up at him. “What’s up, Regal?”
“Nothing much. Just stopped by to see if you were ready to do this Paris thing.”
“Nah…I would be just fine staying here.”
Regal’s brows went up. “Are you sure about that? I thought you’d be glad to get away from St. Claire Architects for a while. Seems you and Ramsey always got beef.”
“Man, Ramsey is just being Ramsey. I know how he is. I don’t even think he can help it.”
“Okay, then forget all that. Why are you not interested in Paris? And why weren’t you at the status meeting this morning?”
Royal focused his gaze on his brother. “What’s with all the questions, Regal? You sound like the auditors.”
Regal chuckled.
“If you must know, I wasn’t at the status meeting because I didn’t get in today until noon,” Royal said as he typed another email. “I had to take Gemma to the doctor.”
“Oh. Gemma. You’ve been spending a lot of time with Gemma lately.”
Royal glanced up at his brother and continued typing. “Yeah. I have.”
“Why?”
Royal smirked. “Because I like being with her.” He didn’t owe his brother an explanation, but he figured he’d give him an honest answer, hoping it would be enough to send him on his way. He had work to catch up on and he couldn’t do that with the inquisitive stares of his brother. He looked up at him again. He wondered why Regal looked surprised. His brothers – all of them – knew that Gemma had been stealing his time as of late. Shoot, even the last time the brothers had hung out, Royal wasn’t there. He’d opted to be with Gemma instead.
“I know you like being with her,” Regal commented. “You’ve ditched us several times for her.”
And I’ll ditch you every time for her. Royal loved his brothers, his family, but there was something about loving Gemma that couldn’t compare to any other kind of love he’d ever felt in his heart. He smiled. Isn’t that how a man knew when he’d found the one? “She’s special to me, Regal.”
“Ah…special,” Regal said rubbing his chin. “Sounds like you’re going to be looking for rings in Paris, bruh.”
“That’s already on the agenda.”
“What!” Regal nearly jumped out of his chair. “Stop playing with me, Royal.”
Royal couldn’t fight the smile that came to his face. “I’m not playing. I love Gemma.”
“You what!” Regal was beside himself – completely floored with Royal’s confession, so much so that he slapped his own darn self to make sure he wasn’t imagining this. “You’re serious.”
“I am.”
“And Gemma knows how you feel?”
“I haven’t told her that I love her yet, but I’m sure she already knows.”
Regal shook his head in disbelief. “And you’re not pulling a fast one on me?”
“Nah, man. I wouldn’t joke about this.”
“Who else knows about you and Gem?”
“I talked to Ramsey about it—”
“And he didn’t give me the heads up,” Regal said since he and Ramsey usually discussed everything. “I see how it is.”
Royal offered a bemused smile. “Do you, Regal?”
“Yeah. First, Ramsey marries little miss cupcake and now you’re claiming the sister. So, y’all got loyalties now, huh? The two married brothers versus the two single brothers.”
Royal leaned back in his chair and chuckled. “Slow your role. I’m not married yet.”
“Yeah, but from what I gather, it won’t be long.”
“Look, Regal. I love her. End of discussion.”
“I don’t think so. Mother called a dinner this Sunday since she got word of us leaving for Paris on Monday. If you bring Gemma, and I’m sure you will since you can’t stand to be without her, mom’s gonna pick up on it right away. You know you can’t hide anything from her. Not a thing.”
“Then that’s something I’ll have to deal with, but Gemma’s definitely coming with me.”
“Well, if you don’t want mom peeping you two out, do yourself a favor.”
“What’s that?”
“Stop staring at Gemma like she’s a fresh piece of hot-out-the-grease chicken.”
“But she’s finger-lickin’ good.”
Regal stood up and said, “Alright. I’m outta here.”
Royal chuckled as Regal exited his office.
Chapter 19
Gemma had showered and was waiting for a call from Royal. She wasn’t killing time by watching a movie or tidying up her room. She was sitting on the bed staring at her phone, waiting for the thing to ring. She glanced at the clock: 9:47 p.m. Why hadn’t he called yet?
She grabbed her emoji pillow and squeezed it close to her chest. Maybe he was tired and went to bed early. No, this was Royal. He didn’t get tired. He had the stamina of a rodeo bull and that was without any caffeine boosters and energy drinks. So, where was he? When she couldn’t handle waiting any longer, she picked up her phone to dial his number and her phone buzzed in her hand. It was him. A smile instantly came to her face.
“Hey,” she answered.
“Hey. You must’ve been on your phone already, huh?”
“No. I had just picked it up when I saw you calling.”
“Oh. How are you, Gemma?”
“I’m good. How are you, Royal?”
He chuckled. “Why do we sound so formal? I’m supposed to be like, wassup bae. And then you’re supposed to follow up with, whattup handsome.”
She giggled. “I like how you automatically assume I’d call you handsome.”
“You wouldn’t?”
“Well, yeah, I would.”
“Okay, then. Quit playing with me.” He chuckled. “Anyway, how was your day after we parted ways?”
“Good.”
“Carson wasn’t trying to drill you for information was he?”
“No. Not at all. Plus, you took my tongue so I couldn’t talk, anyway.”
“Funny,” he said.
“Oh, and I picked up my meds on the way home and took a nap once I got here, of course.”
“What about dinner? What’d you eat?”
“Soup. Carson made some vegetable soup just for me.”
“Cool. I’ll have to thank him when I see him.”
“How was your day at the office?”
“It was work. I had a few fires to put out…nothing your boy couldn’t handle.”
She smirked.
“Hey, I foun
d out from Regal that mother is hosting dinner at her house this Sunday since she knows me and Regal will be out of town. I would like for you to come with me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Royal said.
“But—but we haven’t really told anyone about us yet.”
Correction: you haven’t told anyone. “We don’t have to actually tell anyone anything, Gemma. People can come to their own conclusions.”
“So, you’re okay with your parents knowing about us?”
“I am, but I want to focus on us being us before making my parents aware of us.”
“In that case, I shouldn’t go.”
“Why do you say that, bae?”
“Because you St. Claire men like to stare at your women. You stare at me a lot, just like Ramsey stares at Gianna. And your mother is going to peep that right away.”
“What if she does? I don’t care.”
“I do. Your mom’s nice, but I can’t read her. I don’t know if she likes me or not.”
“Are you kidding? My mother likes everybody, and she thinks you’re a doll.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. Why would you think otherwise?”
“Because I saw her looking at me all weird because I had the scarf on.”
“She probably wonders why you’re wearing one.”
“What’s there to wonder about? She knows I had cancer, right?”
“Yes, but you have hair, Gemma.”
She did have hair but not the hair she used to have. Her hair used to be long, thick and curly. Now, it was about four inches long, still curly but lacked that same luster and beauty it once had.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” he asked.
“What’s tomorrow?”
“Friday.”
“Oh. Right. I’m going to the bakery with Gianna tomorrow.”
“Perfect.”
“Why’s that perfect?”
“Because I want you to spend the weekend with me and it would be convenient for me to pick you up from the bakery, so pack a bag.”
“Um, excuse me?”
He snickered. “There’s no need to pretend you don’t want this just as much as I do.”
Gemma chuckled. “How did I not see how arrogant you were before?”
“It’s not arrogance.” More like love. The need for your love. An obsession I have with you.
“Then what is it, Royal?”
“Spend the weekend with me and maybe you’ll find out.”
Gemma smiled. “Let me stop giving you a hard time. Of course, I’ll spend the weekend with you. I miss you so much I can’t stand it. I was sitting here practically tongue-kissing this emoji pillow before you called me.”
He laughed. “You just made my night. Pack a bag before you go to bed. I’ll pick you up from the bakery as soon as I’m off work.”
“Okay, Royal. Have a good night.”
“Thanks to you, I will. Sweet dreams, baby.”
Chapter 20
Gemma erased the message on the chalkboard and wrote the cupcake of the day: blueberry cream cheese. She also refilled the milk refrigerator after the delivery was dropped off and brewed fresh coffee. She restocked the cups and lids, stirrers and napkins, and after all of that, she watched Gianna as she frosted cupcakes.
“You do it so flawlessly,” Gemma commented.
“I try…funny how I make them look so good right before they’re devoured.”
“Gotta get people’s mouths watering somehow, right?”
“Yep, and it’s all about presentation, my dear.”
“I see.”
Gemma leaned up against the counter.
“So, you’re staying with Royal again this weekend, huh?”
“How’d you know that?” Gemma asked, crossing her arms.
“You put a bag in the backseat of the car this morning. That’s why.”
“Oh. Right. My bag.” Busted.
Gianna stopped frosting, then looked up at Gemma.
“Yes. I’m staying with him this weekend. He’s picking me up from here.”
“I see. Sounds like you two are getting serious.”
“We’re…um…we…hmm…”
“You’re at a loss for words,” Gianna said, “Something that usually never happens to you which means, you’re trying very hard to make up a lie or avoid telling me the truth.”
“I like Royal a lot.”
“Okay, so have you kissed him?”
“Aren’t you being intrusive?”
“Nope. You wanted to know every detail of my first date with Ramsey, remember?”
“Yeah, but I wasn’t being all judgy with you, Gianna.”
“And I’m not being judgy with you. I just want to know where you two are in this supposed friendship of yours.”
“I like him.”
“I know you like him, but has like turned into—”
“Don’t say it.”
Gianna’s eyes brightened. “You love him!”
“Gianna—”
“O-M-G…you wuv, wuv, wuv him,” Gianna said, doing a dance that looked like a broke down, sad version of ‘the twist’.
Gemma couldn’t wipe the smile off of her face. “The word is love, not wuv, and—”
“So, you’re admitting it. You love him.”
“Okay,” Gemma caved. “Yes. I love him.”
Gianna screamed like the building was on fire.
“Gianna, stop! You’re going to scare the patrons.”
“I don’t care. My baby sister is in wuv,” she said, pinching Gemma’s cheek. “I’m so happy. Yes! We both love St. Claire men. We can compare notes now. Give each other advice. This is too freakin’ awesome.”
“Let me give you some advice—zip your lips! Royal doesn’t know I wuv him and I don’t want to scare him off. Men and love don’t get along sometimes.”
“Girl, please. Why do you think he wants you at his condo all the time?”
“This is only my second time spending the weekend with him, and why do you sound so happy about this? I thought for sure your neck would spin all the way around. Like twice.”
“Nope. I’m genuinely happy for you. You’re finally going to know what it feels like to be in love. Awesome!”
“Gianna, keep your voice down.”
“I can’t help it. I’m so excited.”
“Yeah but this is Royal we’re talking about. He told me he got bored with women easily. Said he was dating this one woman who, to me, sounded like she was perfect. He said she didn’t hold his interest. If she couldn’t hold his interest, how am I supposed to?”
“Girl, I don’t think you’re going to have a problem with that. You’re plenty of complicated to keep Royal on his toes.”
“I guess you have a point there,” Gemma muttered. “But he makes me nervous, too.”
“In what way?”
“Intimately. He’s—”
“Wait…have you two already been intimate?” Gianna asked with her hand over her heart.
“No. I’m just freaking out about the idea of it.”
“Oh. Shrew. Well, I was the same way with Ramsey.”
“How was it? Is it—painful?”
“Um…no. I’m not gon’ lie though—the first time is a little uncomfortable, but then after that, it’s—” Gianna nibbled on her lip. “It’s pure bliss.”
“That’s not telling me anything.”
“What do you want me to do? Go into detail and describe what goes here and there—”
“No,” Gemma interrupted. “I want to know how it made you feel. Like, do you feel closer to Ramsey now after making love to him?”
“I do. When you love someone and you keep that in your head when you’re intimate with that person, it’ll reinforce that love every single time.”
Gemma smiled. That’s exactly what she wanted to hear.
* * *
Towards the end of the workday when all the customers had left and it was t
ime to close up shop, Gemma turned off the light for the Open sign. That’s when she saw Royal’s white Tesla pull up. She immediately felt giddy. She hadn’t seen him since noon yesterday and now, here he was. She stood there at the window and watched him get out of the car, wearing a suit that was as black as his beard. He looked exceptionally good and she couldn’t believe this man was actually hers. Or was he hers?
Her eyes followed his every step toward the bakery. He had on a pair of dark sunglasses, so she couldn’t tell if he’d spotted her staring or not. She didn’t care if he did. She missed him and couldn’t stop staring. She wanted to run out there and jump up into his arms, but the sight of him had her frozen in her tracks.
When he walked into the bakery, she turned to look at him. “Hey.”
“Hey, you,” Royal said, looking around to see if Gianna was anywhere in sight. He wanted to snatch Gemma up in his arms immediately upon stepping in without the interruption of her sister. He’d seen Gemma through the window, staring at him. It made him quicken his steps to get to her faster. He leaned forward and convinced himself to leave a kiss on her temple instead of taking her mouth, then asked, “Where’s your sister?”
“In her office.”
“I’ma go speak, then we can ride out.”
“Okay.”
Royal walked on to the back, saying, “Where you at, woman?” right before he came up to her office.
Gianna looked up, and a smile grew on her face when she caught sight of her brother-in-law. “Well hello there, Royal?”
Royal gave her an inquisitive frown. Why was she looking at him with a sneaky smirk on her face? “You probably already know that I’m taking your precious Gem with me. I just want you to know she’s in good hands.”
“I know that.” She waggled her brows, then glanced at Gemma who’d crept up behind Royal. Gemma was making faces, trying to get Gianna to stop talking.
Royal slid his hands into his pockets and glanced back at Gemma who hurried up and put a smile on her face, then he returned his focus to Gianna. “My flight leaves early Monday morning. I’ll see you at dinner on Sunday, right?”
“Yep.”
“I’ll ride back home with you after dinner, Gianna,” Gemma spoke up to say.
“Okay. Sounds good. Now go. Have fun.”
