Chapter 28

 

 

 

Royal entered the fancy jewelry store on Rue de Marseille with one thing on his mind – marriage – but Regal didn’t know he was along for this kind of ride.

“Ay, why’d you stop here, man? Trying to get blinged out before we hit the club?”

“I’m not going to a club, especially not with you.” Royal continued on to the display case that housed exquisite diamond rings. The one that immediately caught his eye was six-thousand-dollar, French-set, eighteen carat, rose gold engagement ring. He asked the jeweler to see it.

“Whoa, wait a minute,” Regal said. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m shopping for a ring. What does it look like I’m doing?”

Regal eyed up the ring and said, “That looks like an engagement ring to me.”

“It is. I told you, Regal—I love Gemma. She’s my one, and I want to make it official.”

“No, no, no... this can’t be happening.” Regal threaded his hands behind his head and paced the floor in front of the showcase. “How in the world does my oldest and youngest brother get married in the same year?”

Royal chuckled. “I’m not married yet. She has to say yes, first.”

“I’m—I’m completely at a loss for words.”

“That’s a first,” Royal said, examining every detail of the ring. He looked up at the clerk and said, “This is the one. I need it in a six and a half.”

“You know the girl’s ring size, too?”

“Of course. I know everything about Gemma.”

“Yeah, man, but have you seriously thought this through?” Regal asked. “This seems so sudden. Marriage is…whew—”

Royal grinned. “Why are you sweating? I should be the one sweating, but I’m not. You know why? Because Gemma’s my one.”

“Sir, your total comes to $6,543. We can have it ready tomorrow for an express charge of $250.”

“Okay. Let’s do it,” Royal said, reaching into his back pocket to remove his wallet, then taking out a credit card.

“Marriage is like forever, man,” Regal said. “Are you ready to be locked in with one woman for the rest of your life?”

“I am. Do you think I would buy a ring if I wasn’t ready?”

“I guess not.”

“And keep this quiet. I want Gemma to be totally surprised.”

“Hey, you don’t have to worry about me saying anything. I’ll just quietly sit back and hope you change your mind.”

“That’s not going to happen.”