Chapter 12
When Monday rolled around, the men of St. Claire Architects – Ramsey, Regal, Royal, Romulus, and the project managers, Ralph and Gilbert – were all in Uptown with Basile Moreau at the future home of some French fashions coming to Charlotte. Standing at five feet, nine inches, Basile was shorter than the St. Claire brothers but he was dressed in a way that made him fit in. Well, somewhat. He had on a dark teal suit, with a camel-colored pair of Bestetti shoes and a pair of ombre sunglasses with lenses that transitioned from black to clear. He was impressed with St. Claire Architect’s ability to deliver a prime location within the heart of the city – just what he was looking for. It was one thing to see the site on a map – but it proved to be another experience to actually be there to see the premium Uptown location with his own eyes. The streets were overflowing with people. All Basile saw were dollar signs.
“You’ve certainly outdone yourself, Ramsey,” Basile said in a strong French accent.
“I can’t take the credit for this leg of the project.” Ramsey patted Romulus on the shoulder. “This is the man who made it happen.”
“Romulus, thank you. I’m most grateful,” Basile said.
“Just doing my job,” Romulus said modestly.
“Basile, what do you say we grab some lunch, then we’ll head back to the office to give you a tour and discuss a few more details,” Ramsey said.
“Yes. This sounds good to me.”
* * *
The men settled in at Palm, and after being served their food, Regal asked, “So, Basile...”
“Yes,” he said in the middle of eating a roasted pepper salmon fillet.
“This new building is going to be for some French fashion. Will you carry men’s fashion, or will this be another store catered to women?”
“We’ll actually do both and it’s very high-end clothing, Regal. The minimum price for a suit is five grand.”
“Whew,” Ralph said. “That’s a little steep for my wallet.”
“I’m with you on that, Ralph,” Gilbert said.
“I’m sure you’ve priced the Charlotte market,” Ramsey said glancing up at Basile. “Are you confident in selling those kinds of suits here in the Queen City? I’ll be a customer for sure, but not everyone can afford a suit with that kind of price tag attached.”
Basile fanned his napkin open to dab his mouth, then said, “Charlotte is prime for this kind of venture. We looked at New York first and while it was a contender, the fashion scene in New York is a little too eclectic for our taste.”
Regal had just taken a gulp of soda. Then he commented, “So you’re saying Charlotteans dress better than New Yorkers.”
Basile smirked – an uncommon expression for the businessman but leave it up to Regal to get Basile to loosen up a bit. “No, Regal...I assure you that’s not what I mean.”
“Let me ask you this then,” Regal said, on a roll with questions. “Who started the trend of wearing tight, high-water suits with ashy ankles…no socks?”
Amused, Romulus could only shake his head.
Royal glanced up at Regal and kept on eating.
Ramsey was amused himself, but tried to hide it by continuing to eat.
“Please…help me to understand what a high water suit is,” Basile said.
Royal laughed.
Ramsey cleared his throat and explained, “I think my brother is referring to pants that tapers off at the ankles.”
“Oh. I think the American designers came up with that concept. Personally, I prefer full-length suits.”
“I agree,” Romulus chimed in, “And not the ones that make it hard to move around freely.”
“Yeah…gotta have room for the crown jewels,” Regal said.
Basile grinned. “That is a must.”
Ramsey took a sip of green tea and was about to shift the conversation from Regal and jewels when he saw a woman who looked like Geraldine breeze pass the front windows of the restaurant. He could have sworn it was her. Only one way to find out.
“Gentlemen, excuse me for a moment,” he said getting up, heading for the door. He followed the woman – was almost certain it was Geraldine now. The gold rings on her fingers gave her away. She wore more jewelry than Jezebel.
Ramsey continued following her to see where she was going at two-something in the afternoon on a Monday. Walking with a fierce strut, the heels of her shoes drummed on the sidewalk and as she entered one of the towers. He followed using the rotating doors.
When she disappeared down the hallway, he stayed back so she didn’t see him and after waiting for a few beats, he came around the corner but she wasn’t there, which meant she was in one of the two offices on this wing – a therapist office or a public accountant office.
She could have been in either, but he took an educated guess and stepped inside the place she’d most needed to visit – the therapist.
He opened the door and sure enough, there she was sitting in a waiting area already flipping through a magazine.
Geraldine looked up and saw him. Her eyes brightened in surprise.
“Ramsey St. Claire...what are you doing here?”
“I was primed and ready to ask you the same thing, Geraldine.”
Geraldine tossed the magazine back onto the wicker table and said, “I’m sure Gianna told you she met with me.”
Ramsey invited himself to sit down a chair away from her to keep some space between them. “She did.”
“And let me guess—you’re against it. Here to threaten me and tell me to leave her alone. You make it so obvious that you don’t like me.”
“That’s because I don’t trust you, and I know how much my wife had to suffer because of you. I know the pain you’ve caused her. Am I to believe you’re on a path of righting your wrongs and fixing your damaged relationship with Gianna and Gemma?”
“I am. I’ve seen the errors of my ways,” Geraldine said holding her head high trying to salvage her pride, what little she had left, anyway. “And I’m not going to let you stop me.”
Ramsey crossed his legs. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking Gianna belongs to you, Geraldine. She’s mine and always will be. Now, since you’re sitting in this therapist office, I suppose I can conclude you’re actually making an effort with trying to repair your relationship with my wife.”
“I told you I was.”
“Then you have to understand me when I tell you I’m protective of what’s mine. Gianna is carrying my child. She doesn’t need any of the stress and flat-out foolishness you brought to her in the past.”
“I understand that.”
Ramsey’s brows raised. “You do?”
“Yes.”
“All right.” Ramsey uncrossed his legs and stood up. “Then it’s time to show and prove. I want you to join us for dinner on Wednesday evening.”
Geraldine looked surprised. “What did you say?”
“I want you to join us for dinner on Wednesday,” Ramsey repeated. “In fact, I’ll talk to Royal so he can discuss it with Gemma and maybe they can join us as well. Do you know where I live?”
“I do.”
“Good. I’ll expect to see you there by 7:30 p.m.”
“O-okay,” Geraldine said, still somewhat shocked about the invite. “I’ll be there.”
“Are you sure? You don’t sound convincing.”
“Yes. I’m sure. I’ll be there.”
“Good. I’ll be on my way now,” Ramsey said, then walked out the door.
* * *
When he was back to the restaurant, Ramsey pulled Royal off to the side but before he could talk to him about Geraldine, Royal said, “It’s not like you to be handling outside business when we’re dealing with a priority client. What’s so urgent?”
“That’s what I was just about to discuss with you. I got up because I saw Geraldine walk by. I caught up with her—asked her to come by the house for dinner on Wednesday.”
Royal lifted a brow. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. Geraldine has been attempting to get herself together and I think our wives need to see her effort. They need this in their lives.”
“Maybe your wife does. Gemma doesn’t need the stress and I don’t want to subject her to that lunatic, so if that’s what you’re asking, the answer is heck no.”
“Take a day to think it over, Royal. You’re basing your decisions on your own emotions. I don’t like Geraldine, either, but I’m thinking about how Gianna would feel. That’s what I’m asking you to do. Put yourself in Gemma’s shoes. Think about Gemma’s feelings.”
“I am thinking about Gemma. I consider my wife in all of my decisions,” Royal said sounding slightly offended.
“Then you know she needs this just as much as Gianna does.”
“No, she needs a mother—not a maniac who pops in and out of her life, plays with her emotions then goes flying off to the moon on her broom.”
Tickled, Ramsey struggled to keep a serious face when he responded, “Think it over. She’ll be at the house on Wednesday.”
“I assume you’ve already talked this over with Gianna.”
“Not yet, but based on previous conversations we’ve already had about Geraldine I’m sure she’ll be okay with it. We have our first childbirth class tonight. I’ll mention it to her then.”
“And you’re absolutely sure she’ll go for it?”
“Yes. Gianna has already expressed a desire to give Geraldine a chance.”
Royal nodded. Blew a breath. “All right. I’ll think about it. Now, let’s go get Regal out of this restaurant. He’s been in rare form today. What’s with him?”
“Not sure. Maybe he had a good night.”
Royal grinned wickedly. “So did I, but I’m not talking about my crown jewels.”
The men laughed.
“Yeah, let’s get him out of there before Basile starts to think he’s a lil’ flaky,” Ramsey said.
Royal smirked. “It’s Regal…of course he’s flaky.”
“Yeah, but our clients don’t need to know that.”
“True. Let’s go.”