Royal had seen an old framed photo of Dianna’s little brother Ronnie from back in the day and asked how Ronnie was doing. Dianna had lowered her eyes as though Royal had just triggered a painful memory for her.
“We lost Ronnie when he was eight.” Dianna said.
“I’m so sorry.” Royal had replied, mentally kicking himself for stepping on that particular buried landmine.
It was in that moment that the front door opened and a gust of frigid air blew Rene into the foyer. She’d been out shopping and was setting down her grocery sacks when Royal watched her close the door and take off her long woolen coat, her red toque and scarf and mittens, to reveal her slender form clad in woolen leggings and a puffy pink and white sweater. Her long auburn hair made for a striking frame for the pale skin of her delicate face, her eyes were bright and the colour of almonds flecked with gold, and her feet were small and encased in soft grey kid leather ankle boots. To Royal she was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen, and watching her shed her winter clothes was like she was unwrapping a present for him.
“Royal? This is my sister Rene.” Dianna said, “Rene? This is Royal.”
Rene moved toward Royal with a grace so fluid it appeared she was floating on air, and when she said;
“Hello Royal” and he took her extended hand, he felt like he’d just been touched by an angel. Her hand was elegant and her skin the softest thing he’d ever touched, and when she gave his fingers a gentle squeeze, Royal felt his heart fill with a warmth he’d never experienced before. He had to swallow past a lump in his throat before he could answer.
“Hello Rene.” and those two words contained every sonnet of love and adoration that had ever been written in the history of romance, and when Rene smiled at his gentle voice and released his hand, Royal felt like crying because the moment was so profound and she so beautiful.
Royal had fallen in love.
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