Page 100 of The Good Luck Cafe
“How is she?”
“Not great. Would you mind checking up on her?”
“Sure. But why aren’t you staying with her?”
Gil opened his truck door and got inside. “She doesn’t want me here.”
“Did you two get into a fight?” Tess asked.
“Not exactly.” No, instead he’d professed his love for her. That was the opposite of a fight. “Maybe having a good friend by her side right now would be better.”
“Okay. I’ll head over right now.”
“Thanks, Tess. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“Gil?” Tess hesitated. “Moira hasn’t let a lot of guys in on a romantic level. The fact that she let you in is a big deal. Just be patient with her, okay?”
Gil looked up at Moira’s home before backing out of the driveway. “I will. You can’t stay where you’re not wanted though. And right now, she doesn’t want me here.”
“I’ll update you in a little bit,” Tess promised.
“Thanks.” Gil drove home, where Doug was still sitting on his couch along with Goldie.
“Hey, Gilly. Want to hear about the tour of my new home?”
Gil shook his head. “I do, but can we maybe talk about it tomorrow? I’m kind of beat, buddy. I think I’m just going back to my room.”
Doug stood. “You’re upset.” He walked over to him and gave him a big hug.
Gil didn’t think he wanted it, but mid-hug, he realized he needed it. He pulled back and looked at Doug. “What am I going to do when you’re not right next door to cheer me up when I need it?”
“You’ll just drive to my place. You’ll always be welcome.”
Gil smiled even though he didn’t feel like it right now. “Ditto, buddy.”
***
Gil resisted calling or texting Moira until that night when he was about to fall asleep and couldn’t take it any longer. He reached for his phone on his nightstand and pulled up the thread of messages between them.
Gil:Are you okay?
He waited for several long minutes for her to respond. Finally, he decided she wasn’t going to answer him. Maybe she was already asleep, which might be a good thing for her. Then his phone pinged with an incoming message.
Moira:I’m okay.
Gil:I’m glad to hear it. Can we meet up for breakfast for tomorrow?
Moira:I’m going to lay low for a few days.
Gil:I’ll come to your place then?
Moira:Maybe another time. Sorry.
Gil sent some follow-up texts, but Moira was no longer responding to him. He pulled up Tess’s contact and called. If anyone knew what was going on with Moira, it was her.
“Hey, Tess,” he said when she answered.
“Sorry, Gil. I was supposed to update you. I just got home.”
