Page 54 of The Good Luck Cafe
“No.” Moira shook her head. “Don’t even say that. Next thing you know, that’ll be a headline on Reva’s blog.”
Darla laughed too. “Well, I think a first date in a jail cell is romantic.”
“This is not a date.” Moira took her bagged lunch over to the corner of her cot. “Thank you, Mom. Did you donate to my bail?”
Darla nodded. “Of course I did. Never thought I’d need to bail you out. You’ve always been so straitlaced.”
Moira shared a look with Gil, confirming that not even Darla knew about Moira’s night in jail. He doubted anyone knew about her date with Felix either, except maybe Tess, who was the closest of Moira’s friends.
“I donated to yours, too, Mayor,” Darla said, looking suddenly guilty.
Moira’s mouth dropped open. “He’s going to demolish your business and build a parking lot in its place.”
Gil swallowed. Moira made him sound like a real-life criminal. “The building. Your mom’s business can relocate. I’ll personally help her find the perfect place to do so.”
Moira shook her head. “You’re right. We shouldn’t talk about this topic.”
“Especially not on your jail cell date,” Darla said, making Moira roll her eyes. “Well, I’ve got to get back to Sweetie’s. Good luck, you two!”
“Thanks, Darla. I appreciate it.” Once Darla had gone, Gil opened his bag and peered inside. “Mm. I love her grilled ham-and-cheese croissants.”
“Enjoy it while you can. If you win the election, you’ll never get another,” Moira said.
Gil watched Moira open her own bag for a moment. “That three-car pileup the other day? It took emergency vehicles twenty minutes to get there because the road was clogged with cars and trucks that were parallel parked all the way down. Traffic stopped, and no one could get by. There was a five-year-old child in the back seat screaming because his mother was unconscious in the front. Things turned out okay, but it could have gone very differently. There was no one to respond to Doug. What if you hadn’t acted? We need a parking lot, Moira.”
Her shoulders seemed to round. “Isn’t there another way though? Without tearing down what my mom has worked so hard to create?”
Gil wished he had a different answer to give her. “I’ve looked for one. If you know another solution, please tell me. I would do anything to make this right.”
She lifted her chin subtly, looking equal parts stubborn and beautiful. “Well, when I’m mayor, I’ll find a way.”
***
At four thirty that afternoon, Ronnie stopped by to give another update on bail. “Looks like you’re fleeing the coop,” he said.
Both Moira and Gil looked up.
“Which one of us?” Gil asked.
Ronnie let the suspense hang in the air for several seconds before tipping his head at Gil. “You, Mayor Gil. You’re free to go.”
Some part of Gil wished it were Moira who was leaving. He couldn’t just leave her here all by herself.
“Go on,” Moira said, as if reading his mind. “I’ll be fine.” She forced a fleeting, fragile-looking smile in his direction. “Congratulations on making bail.”
“Thanks.” He hesitated for a long moment, not moving.
Sheriff Ronnie opened the jail cell door. “Better hurry before I change my mind,” he threatened with a deep laugh.
Gil looked at Moira again.
“Go,” she said a little more forcefully. “You made bail. You heard the sheriff. Escape while you can.”
Gil reluctantly stood. “Okay. Well, it was nice spending the day in here with you.”
She gave a stiff nod. “I’d say we should do this again, but I’d be lying.”
“Right. Because you barely tolerate being in the same room with me.”
