by Tina Martin
Ramsey chuckled while Gianna looked embarrassed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Gemma took off her apron and headed to the front of the bakery where Royal was waiting for her. “Ready?” she asked him.
“Yeah,” Royal said as they headed to the door together. He pushed it open and held it for her to exit ahead of him.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Following his lead, they took a few steps in the direction of the wooden bridge in front of Boardwalk Billy’s.
“You’re looking mighty dapper in that suit, by the way,” she told him.
“You act like this is the first time you’ve seen me in a suit.”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen you in this one. You usually don’t wear gray, but it suits you. No pun intended.”
He grinned again. “Well, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Silence passed between them before Gemma asked, “So, where are we walking to?”
“Nowhere,” he said, stopping at the highest point of the bridge. He leaned against the railings and stared out into the water. A few people were in pedal boats, he noticed, while some people sat on benches, throwing bread crumbs to the ducks and geese.
Gemma leaned against it, too, taking in the scenery. It was a mostly cloudy day, but whenever the sun peeked from behind the clouds, the reflection on the water was bright enough to make her squint. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
“It is. I love this time of year.”
“Me, too.” Gemma looked out into the water again. “Hey, I was thinking about the things you said yesterday.”
“About what?”
“You know…about me having something I like to do.”
He nodded. “Okay.”
“I was wondering—why do you care whether or not I’m passionate about something?”
“I think it’ll help you…give you something to work for. Something to live for. Something to look forward to when you wake up in the mornings.”
“I suppose…”
“Did you have lunch?” he inquired.
“I did.”
“What’d you eat?”
“Gianna went to Panera and got some broccoli cheddar soup.”
“Oh.”
“I can’t wait until I get my driver’s license so I can go get my own soup.”
“Have you been studying the driver’s handbook?”
“No. I’m kinda freaked out about it.”
He turned to look at her. “About the test or driving?”
“Both.”
“There’s nothing to it, really.”
“It is when you’ve never been behind the wheel of a car at twenty years of age. Gosh. I sound so pathetic.”
Royal grimaced. He hated to hear her talk about herself in such a negative light. “It’s cool, Gem. One step at a time. You gotta crawl before you can walk.”
“Well, if I don’t get my license, I’ll be doing a little of both.”
He chuckled.
So did she.
“How has it been helping Gianna at the bakery today?” he asked shifting his body to look directly at her.
“It’s cool. I just found myself nodding off a few times.”
“That’s not good.”
“I know. I need to talk to the doctor about this fatigue.”
“You know what the doctor is going to say, right?”
“No.”
“That you need to exercise. Tiredness doesn’t go away from sleeping. Being active is more effective.”
“Well, I doubt very seriously that my doctor is going to tell me to get a gym membership to Planet Fitness.”
“You’re right, but nice walks wouldn’t hurt. You gotta get off that rump and move around, girl.”
Royal withheld a smile, but when he felt Gemma staring at him, he looked at her and couldn’t help but laugh.
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re not funny. You know that, right?”
“Whatever you say, Gem. When is your next appointment?”
“Thursday.”
“What time?” he asked, intentionally sliding his hands across the railing until one of them touched hers.
She shrugged. “I think it’s nine-something.”
“Can you give me the exact time beforehand, please?”
“Why, Royal? You don’t have to take me this time. Gianna’s—”
“Gianna’s not taking you, so forget about it. I am.”
A breeze chilled her face as she looked at him, but something in the pit of his eyes made her feel warm all over.
“Okay. If that’s what you want,” she told him.
His gaze settled on her lips. “Yes. It’s exactly what I want, Gemma.”
She turned away from him and looked back out at the water. Why is he staring at my lips? It was on the top of her tongue to ask, but thinking it through, she decided against doing so.
“Are you working at the bakery tomorrow?”
“No. I had planned on calling the children’s hospital and inquiring about volunteering.”
Royal smiled, glad to hear she was giving his suggestion serious consideration. “Before you jump all the way in, make sure it’s something you really want to do, Gemma.”
“It is. Well, it’s a start I should say. Who knows? It may lead me down another path toward my true calling since it’s your belief that I actually have one.”
“Everyone does.” Royal stood straight up taking his hands off of the railing. “Anyway, I imagine Ramsey has gotten his afternoon Gianna fix, so let’s head back.”
Gemma chuckled. “Okay.”
He was walking slow, almost like he didn’t want to go back and she fell into stride beside him, taking in the scent of his glorious cologne that played with her sanity when the wind caught it just right.
“Are you staying with Gianna until closing?”
“She’s the one with the driver’s license, so yeah.”
“If you get tired and want to leave before then, let me know. I’ll come pick you up.”
Like I’m really going to call you to come pick me up and take me all the way to Lake Norman only so you’ll have to turn around and drive all the way back to Dilworth. No thanks. “I’ll be fine, Royal.”
“Just acknowledge you heard my offer.”
“Yes. I heard your offer, your highness, and I appreciate it.”
Royal opened the door to the bakery and allowed her to enter. Ramsey and Gianna were kissing by the register.
“Ahem,” Gemma said.
“We’ve been busted again,” Ramsey said against Gianna’s lips.
Gianna smiled, then looked at Gemma. “Sorry, sis. I couldn’t help myself.”
Gemma rolled her eyes.
“Take it easy for the rest of the day, sweetness,” Ramsey said to Gianna. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Okay,” Gianna said. “Love you.”
“I love you, too, sweetness.”
Royal looked at Gemma, wanting so badly to echo the words that Ramsey had spoken to Gianna – only his would be directed to Gemma. Instead, he settled for, “See you later, Gem.”
“See ya,” Gemma replied.
Chapter 9
Later that evening after helping Gianna close up the bakery, the women were on the way home when Gemma asked, “What does it feel like to be in love?”
“Um…gee, I guess that answer would be different depending on whoever you ask.”
“Well, I’m asking you, Gianna. I’ve watched you fall in love with Ramsey right before my eyes, and y’all can’t keep your hands off of each other. So, tell me. How is it?”
“It’s an amazing feeling that has me floating sometimes, which is crazy because it’s something I thought I didn’t want. Actually, I didn’t think I could handle it, you know, but Ramsey’s the best.”
“Royal said he’s mean. At work, that is…”
Gianna laughed. “He’s not mean. He’s a perfectionist when it comes to his job and if he f
eels like somebody isn’t doing what they’re supposed to be doing, he doesn’t have a problem calling them out on it. And Royal can’t talk much about Ramsey when he’s basically the same way. That’s why they don’t get along all that well.”
“Really, because when I see them together, they’re laughing it up—having a jolly ol’ St. Claire time,” Gemma said.
“Right. When they’re around each other outside of work, their cool. At work, it’s another story. It’s the strangest thing.”
Gemma took a mental note then stared out the window. “Royal is very particular. He has a certain way he likes things to go. I wonder if he’s even aware of how demanding he is, or if he thinks it’s normal to have such high expectations of people.”
“Of people, or you?”
“Well, I’ll use myself as an example.” She shifted her position in the seat so she was looking at Gianna. Then she continued. “He talks to me like I’m his daughter or something. And he has these goals in his head for me, like this volunteering thing for instance.”
“I thought you liked that idea?”
“I do, but it’s…I don’t know. I’m probably just trippin’.” She glanced out the window again and said, “No. I’m not trippin’. He is demanding. For example, I told him you were taking me to the doctor on Thursday and he said, no, I’m taking you to the doctor.”
“And what did you say after he said that?”
“I just…I don’t…I don’t even remember because whatever I said, if it was the opposite of what he wanted to do, he’d shoot my idea down. He acts like he’s soo much older than I am. There’s only a five-year difference between us and yet it seems like we’re at least a decade apart. Anyway, I’m rambling. Just, FYI, Royal volunteered himself to take me to the doctor—again—on Thursday, so I guess you don’t have to do it.”
Gianna glanced at her sister then returned her attention back to driving when she said, “You know you don’t have to give in to him every time.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Then why do you?”
She smirked. “That’s a good question.”
“I know why,” Gianna said.
“Why?”
“Because you like him.”
Gemma chewed on her lip. “A little bit, yes,” she admitted.
“No, not a little bit…more like a lotta bit.”
Gemma laughed.
“Laugh all you want, but you two have been spending a lot of time together. That’s how it all starts off in the beginning. Trust me. I know.”
“Yeah, but it wasn’t supposed to be like this. It’s like, since I was in the hospital, he formed an attachment to me and our friendship grew legs and took off. I don’t think neither of us expected to be besties after I was discharged from the hospital.”
“Okay, so what do you do about it now?”
She shrugged. “Don’t know. I’m still in friend mode and that’s where I intend on staying.”
“So, you have no feelings for him at all?”
“What kind of feelings?” Gemma asked.
“Come on, Gem. You know exactly what I mean.”
“No, elaborate.”
“Alright…like do you feel all tingly around him and stuff?”
Gemma laughed. “Tingly? That’s the best you can come up with? Tingly?”
“Okay, do you feel vibes when you’re with him?” Gianna asked as she pulled up in the driveway, noticing Ramsey standing on the front porch like he’d been waiting on her.
“I see your man lurking,” Gemma said.
Gianna chuckled. “Don’t try to change the subject. Do you feel vibes when you’re with Royal?”
“Vibes?” Gemma asked, playing dumb.
“Yeah. Like a flutter of butterflies in your stomach.”
“Yes, but that’s only because Royal’s so freakin’ good looking. And because he stares at me…finds excuses to touch me.”
Gianna lifted a brow. “Touch you?”
“Yeah, and I’m not talking about grabbing my booty or anything like that—”
“He sure was grabbing your booty when we were on the yacht.”
Gemma giggled. “But he was just playing around. He wasn’t being serious. I’m talking about touching me in subtle ways. And sometimes, he’d just hold my hand when we’re together like we’re a couple. Remember when I told you we went out to dinner Sunday evening?”
“Yeah.”
“When we were walking back to his place, he held my hand, almost as if I was his girlfriend. Like he didn’t care if someone saw him holding my hand…didn’t care if he gave the impression that I was his girl, and the whole time we’re walking, I’m trying not to read too much into it, but I start to ask myself why he would do that? Why reach for my hand?”
“Holding hands could be considered a friendly gesture.”
“On what planet? If you were just friends with a guy, there’s no way you’d walk around holding his hand. It’s not what friends do.”
“Well, I told you Royal liked you. You’re just hard headed.”
Gemma grinned and then glanced towards the house. “Uh, oh. Your man’s coming.”
Gianna looked up and saw Ramsey walking toward the car. “He probably thinks something’s wrong since we’re just sitting in the car.”
“Yep, and let me say this real quick before he gets over here. I know I joke about you two kissing and being all lovey-dovey, but I adore the way he loves you.”
“Aw…” Gianna smiled. “You could have that, too, if you stop pretending you and Royal are just friends. It’s okay if you like him.”
“Why thank you, mother,” Gemma quipped. “I’ll call him up right now and ask if we can go steady.”
Gianna chuckled. “Very funny.”
When Ramsey was a few steps away from the car, Gianna opened the door and said, “Hey, Ramsey.”
“Hey,” he said, reaching for her hand to help her out of the car like it was necessary. He glanced over at Gemma at the same time.
“Hey, Gem.”
“Hey.”
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Gianna said. “We were just sitting here having a lil’ girl chat. That’s all.”
“Oh. I see. Then, pardon my interruption.”
“No worries,” Gemma said. “I’m sure Gianna isn’t done with me yet.”
Gianna smiled while Gemma continued walking to the house.
Chapter 10
Gemma took a warm bath and massaged her feet after being on them nearly all day. Then she slid into a thin, see-through nightshirt and sat on the bed. She brushed her naturally curly hair before securing it in the scarf, then checked her phone when she saw the indicator light flashing. She’d missed a call from somebody and she had a clue who that somebody was. Royal. He’d called thirty minutes ago and ten minutes ago, he sent a text:
Royal: I was calling to say goodnight, but you must be snoozing already :-(
Royal: sweet dreams, diamond
She smiled, wondering if she should call him back or let him think she was sleep. But like a giddy schoolgirl, she couldn’t bear the thought of not calling him so she dialed his number.
“Gemma?” he answered.
“Yeah, it’s me. I just got your text messages.”
“And here I was thinking you were sleeping already.”
“No. I was taking a bath when you called and I spent fifteen minutes massaging my feet. It’s tough standing up all day. I don’t see how Gianna does it.”
“You should’ve called me earlier. I would’ve come over and rubbed your feet.”
Gemma laughed. “Your hands are not coming nowhere near my feet. Plus, I took care of it, so…”
“I was waiting for you to call me today. I told you I would pick you up from the bakery if you got tired.”
“I know. I just didn’t want to leave Gianna there by herself. But I’m not going tomorrow, so I get to sleep for as long as I want.”
“Good. You deserve it.”<
br />
“You can say that again.”
“So, do you know all about baking cupcakes now?”
Gemma grinned. “I know how to make the batter, and it’s not as easy as you think. Baking is hard, tedious work.”
“I’m sure it is.”
“Everything has to be measured just right. But, it’s fun watching Gianna do it. She’s a pro. I bet my niece, or nephew, is going to be born knowing how to whip up some cupcakes.”
Royal chuckled. “Probably.”
“So, how was your day, Royal?”
“My day?” he asked.
“Yeah. What did you do all day?”
“Uh…I spent most of the day looking for new vendors for a project we’ve been working on.”
“What kind of project?”
“A European style building in Uptown. Construction hasn’t started yet, but we want to make sure we have all the vendors in place for when it does.”
“Sounds serious.”
“It is, but it’ll get handled. Have you taken your medicine yet?”
“I have, so you can rest easy knowing I’m going to be okay.”
“I would rest a lot easier if I could see that for myself.”
“Or, you can just take my word for it.”
“I still would like to see you, though,” he confessed.
Gemma nervously chewed on her bottom lip as she listened to the relaxed, sexy drawl of his voice. “Why?”
“Because you were here all weekend and now, I’m lying in bed alone, visualizing your pretty face in my mind when I could be looking at it instead. When I could be brushing my thumb across those beautiful freckles on your face.”
“Stop flirting with me, Royal. I’m not one of your women.”
“One of my women?” He chuckled. “I don’t have any women.”
“Sure you don’t,” Gemma said. Everywhere they went together, women were checking him out.
“What do you have planned for tomorrow besides sleeping?” he asked.
“I’m going to call the hospital to inquire about volunteering.”
“Oh, that’s right. You told me that.”
“Yep, and I’ll be studying for my driver’s license.”