Page 108 of The Good Luck Cafe
“I like it.” Moira leaned in to kiss him, brushing her lips to his. “I like you.”
“Well, I love you,” he said, looking her in the eyes. “I’minlove with you, Moira. Some part of me thinks I fell in love the very first time I laid eyes on you. All I know is that the kind of feelings I have don’t ever go away. You have my heart.”
She swallowed. Saying those three little words wasn’t something to do impulsively. This wasn’t impulsive or rash though. She knew how she felt about Gil. “I love you too,” she whispered. “I’ve never said that to a guy before. You’re the first.”
“I’m honored. And I’m humbled that you would love me back.” He kissed her briefly. Then he leaned forward and grabbed the bowl of popcorn off the table. “It’s almost six. I’m ready to watch my girlfriend on the news.”
Moira scooted in closer to him until her thigh was touching his. “Fair warning, Mr. Mayor. I might just kick you out of your office four years from now.”
He glanced over. “Assuming that Denise Berger hasn’t already done so.”
As he said it, the news started with a breaking story that wasn’t Moira’s. Jessica Marcus stood on-screen talking into her microphone in front of Denise Berger’s large brick home.
“Breaking news tonight, Denise Berger has decided to drop out of the mayoral election for Somerset Lake,” Jessica said, speaking into her microphone. “What was going to be a tight race this fall is looking like a shoo-in for the current mayor, Gil Ryan.”
Moira’s lips parted. “What?” She looked at Gil. “Did you know about this?”
“No, I didn’t. But I can’t say I’m surprised. She didn’t seem too thrilled at all her opposition at the town council meeting the other night. I don’t think she realized that she wasn’t going to win the popular vote. Denise isn’t really one to go into a contest that she isn’t likely to win.”
“I agree. There was no way she was ever going to beat you.”
“Whatever the real reason, I’m a lucky guy. I get to keep my job and the girl.” He leaned in and brushed his lips over Moira’s again.
When the kiss was over, she reached into the bowl of popcorn and pulled out a piece, holding it up to his mouth. He took it from her in one quick motion. Then he picked up a piece of popcorn and fed it to her as well.
“A happily ever after for you,” she said, snuggling in closer and breathing in the scent of him. Breathing it all in. She loved this moment and the feel of his arms wrapped around her. There was no place she’d rather be in all of Somerset Lake or anywhere else, for that matter. On a wistful sigh, she said, “And a happily ever after for me too.”
Epilogue
Happy Fall, Somersetters! Here’s your daily dose of Reva!
The grand opening of the new Hannigan Street parking lot happens tomorrow. There will be no claiming of parking spots. Not officially at least!
There’ll be another animal adoption fair this coming weekend! Beth Chimes is your point of contact if you would like to volunteer.
Who loves a fudge sale at Choco-Lovers? The pumpkin spice fudge is buy one pound, get one free. Run, don’t walk, and give Jana all your money!
Now that our previous Most Eligible Bachelor is off the market, it’s time to vote on someone new. Stay tuned to my blog to see who the upcoming candidates for MEB are!
Love & Bullet Points,
Reva
***
Maybe Moira was partial because November was her birthday month, but there was no place quite like Somerset Lake in the fall. The foliage was a perfect blend of reds, oranges, and yellows, and the air was too warm for a coat but perfect for a lightweight cardigan.
Pulling her current sweater a little tighter around her as she stepped out of her home, Moira’s gaze stuck for just a moment on the dent right in the middle of her front door. A tiny little rock could do a lot of damage. It could do a lot of good too though. Because of that rock and a few bored teenagers, Gil was going to make a very important announcement to the town today, after thanking them for reelecting him as mayor and using a jumbo pair of scissors to cut the ribbon for Hannigan Street’s new parking lot.
Moira’s phone rang as she dipped into the driver’s seat of her car. She checked the ID before answering. “Hey, Mom. Are you still meeting me at the ribbon-cutting ceremony?”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Darla said, her voice light and cheerful. “Your father and I are going together.”
Moira’s parents had been doing a lot of things together since they’d both retired. Darla was semiretired at least. Sometimes she worked at the diner when Angela was on vacation, to help a friend and connect with her former customers. Mostly Darla had moved on to shared hobbies with Moira’s father though. Like fishing and hiking. They’d also taken up bird-watching, of all things. Moira’s parents had even started a board game night at their home with all their other retired friends. It just so happened to take place on Thursday nights when Moira was at book club with her friends and Gil was having wings and drinks at the tavern with his. Thursday was apparently a social night in Somerset.
After a pause in the conversation, Darla asked, “Are you okay? I know how much you loved Sweetie’s.”
Moira thought about the question for a moment. It had taken her a little bit to get to this point, but she was okay. “It’s a bittersweet day, for sure. I’m not as sad about Sweetie’s being gone now that I know how much retired life suits you. Sweetie’s was just a building. I still have all the memories.”
