Chapter 7

 

 

 

“What’s up with you, Royal?” Ramsey asked, stepping inside of Royal’s office after their Monday morning status meeting. “You almost lost it in there for absolutely nothing.”

“Because you don’t listen, Ram. I told you, Regal and Romulus, three weeks ago, that we needed to find a new vendor for the Paris project. None of you listened. But since Basile has brought it to your attention, now, all of a sudden, it’s a hot-button issue. How about listening to your brother over some fancy talking French dude? Dang.”

“You’re right, Royal. You’re right. My bad. I was going through some things with Gianna when you tried to tell me about the vendor issue and I should’ve been more focused on work.”

“No. You should’ve been focused on Gianna. I just—” Royal sighed and dropped his head. Frustrated.

“What is it, Royal?”

“It’s Gemma.”

Concern quickly came to Ramsey’s face. If something was wrong with Gemma, it would, in turn, affect Gianna and he couldn’t have that. “What’s wrong with Gemma?”

“Okay, let me be more specific. There’s nothing wrong with her. This is about me and my feelings for her.”

“Oh, I see,” Ramsey said, picking up on the problem right away. He already knew his brother had feelings for Gemma. “What seems to be the issue?”

Royal looked up toward the ceiling and blew out a breath. “The issue is, when I’m here—whenever I’m away from her, I can’t stop thinking about her. Right now while I’m sitting here talking to you, she’s on my mind.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“Because I’ve developed these feelings for her that won’t go away.”

“Won’t go away implies that you’ve tried to shake it.”

“I have, for her sake. Man, Gemma has no idea how I feel about her. She sees me the same way she sees you—like a big brother.”

“And how do you see her?”

Royal thought for a moment, but it didn’t take long to reply, “I see her as a woman I could share my life with.”

“Whoa,” Ramsey said. He took a seat in one of the leather chairs in Royal’s office and said, “Okay, let’s not get crazy.”

“I’m not crazy. That’s how I feel about her.”

“How is that possible, Royal, when you’ve only known her for three months?”

“You knew Gianna for less time when you two got married.”

“That was different. It was a Wedded Bliss situation, well, partly. Whatever the case, this isn’t your method of operation.”

Royal sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Okay, so you tell me how I operate since you know me better than I know myself.”

“You’re trying to be sarcastic, but I do know how you operate, Royal. First of all, you get bored with women easily. The last woman you dated owned a business. She was a looker, too, and you dropped her just like that,” Ramsey said and snapped his finger for added emphasis.

“I wasn’t feeling her. What am I supposed to do? Force myself into a relationship with someone just because they’re a catch? And to clarify, just because the woman was a catch doesn’t mean she was my catch.”

“And Gemma is?”

“I have a connection with Gemma.”

“You have a connection with Gemma, yet, she has no idea how you feel about her. She hasn’t picked up on any vibes. Wouldn’t you think if you were feeling a woman, she would have a hint you were into her?”

“Not Gemma. She’s never been in a relationship before. She’s young and—”

“And she’s not for you,” Ramsey said.

Royal frowned. “You can’t tell me who I can and can’t date.”

“Royal, I’m telling you for your own good. Keep this thing with Gemma on a friendship level.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because I love her.”

“You…you what?”

“I. Love. Her,” Royal said intentionally slow hoping Ramsey would get it this time.

Ramsey took a minute to let it sink in then shook his head. “Sorry, but I can’t let you hurt her. History shows you’ll drop her just like all the rest.”

“I won’t. She’s different.”

“Why? Because of the cancer?”

“No. Because she’s strong and there’s an ambitious woman inside of her. I want to bring her out. I mean she’s already smart. She’s funny. She has the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen in my life. I love her, Ramsey.”

Ramsey frowned.

“What do you have against me and her?” Royal asked.

“I don’t like the idea of you dating her and dropping her when you’re done. That’s all I can see in my head. I don’t want you to hurt Gemma. Hurting her would be hurting Gianna. She doesn’t need to be stressed out because she’s troubled about what you may or may not do to her sister.”

“Then I give you my word. I won’t hurt her. I really do love her, Ramsey.”

Ramsey raised a brow. “And you’re sure about that after three months?”

“Positive.”

Ramsey sighed deeply and rubbed his mustache. Thinking. “You haven’t told her how you feel?”

“No.”

“Then let me give you a word of advice—be a friend first. Don’t move so quickly. I think that was your problem in your last relationship. You were so in a hurry to be in a relationship, you didn’t take the time to really know the woman. Get to know Gemma.”

“I do know her.”

“Then take the time to know her better. What harm could come from taking things slow? And she’s still in the recuperating stage of her recovery, man. Let the friendship build organically. Don’t rush it. If it’s meant to be, everything else will fall into place.”

“Alright. I’ll try to take your advice,” Royal said, swiveling in his black executive chair.

“Good.”

Ramsey stared at his brother for a moment and then asked, “What is it about her?”

Royal smiled. “I just told you. I think mostly, though, it’s just—just her. I like how comfortable she is around me.”

“You know that’ll change the minute she knows you’re feeling her.”

“Yeah. Another reason I should take it slow, I guess,” Royal said, tapping a pen on the desktop.

“Yep.” Ramsey stood up. “You know she’s at the bakery with Gianna today, right?”

“Oh, so she did go? She was so tired last night, I didn’t think she would wake up in time.”

“Yeah, she went. I’m going by there at lunch if you want to tag along and see your girl,” Ramsey said.

“Cool. Ay, let me know when you’re leaving.”

“Yep,” Ramsey said, exiting the office.