Page 26 of The Good Luck Cafe
“Okay, Moira,” Doug called behind her.
Moira picked up her pace, hoping to catch Gil before he set off. She saw movement on the dock and started walking faster. Gil’s dog barked when he saw her coming, and ran up to meet her.
“Goldie, heel!” Gil called before seeing where his dog was running. He straightened and watched Moira approach. “Hey. What are you doing here?” he asked when she was standing just a few feet away.
“I was hoping to talk to you.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I see that you’re about to set out, but could you spare a few minutes?”
Gil hesitated. “The water is pretty calm right now. Why don’t you join me?”
“On the boat?” She immediately shook her head. “What I have to say won’t take long.”
“Great. There’ll be more time for us to enjoy the sunset. We have to hurry though.”
Moira glanced between Gil and the boat floating off the dock. Some part of her wanted to say yes. Another part of her knew that wasn’t the best idea. “I don’t know.”
“I dare you,” Gil said with a grin.
Moira narrowed her eyes. That was something Gil used to say to her when they were younger—before he’d developed an obvious crush on her. “That’s just wrong.”
“I know how hard it is for you to pass on a dare.”
He winked, and everything inside her turned inside out. “I haven’t been dared in about a decade now.”
“Then you’re overdue.” He tipped his head toward the dock. “I’m chasing a sunset tonight. Come with us.” He gestured at Goldie.
“Your dog goes with you?”
“Always. She’d be disappointed if I left her behind.” Gil watched Moira. “If you don’t want to go, that’s fine. I can call you when I get back.”
She swallowed. “Okay.”
He looked a little disappointed. “I have your number.”
“No, I meant okay, I’ll go with you.” She took a step toward him. “I’ve never not accepted a dare, and I won’t be starting tonight.”
***
Gil wasn’t sure what to do right now. Moira was on his boat, which was probably the last thing he would have guessed would be happening tonight. His gaze slid over to watch her sitting against the boat’s rails as he motored away from the dock.
Moira’s hair blew behind her with the gentle breeze off the lake. Gil liked to take the boat out this time of day because there was nothing more stunning than Somerset Lake at sunset. Except maybe watching Moira enjoying the view.
She turned and caught him staring. Her eyes dropped momentarily, and then, as if he’d dared her a second time, she looked up and boldly met his gaze. “Do you take your boat out every night?”
Gil shook his head. “Not every night. Several times a week though. I try to take the sailboat out on the weekends as much as I can. It’s not as often as I’d like. I’d live on a boat if I had my way.”
Moira’s eyes seemed to light up. “A houseboat, huh? I don’t know. You have a pretty amazing house.”
“You’ll have to come in through the front door next time,” he teased, referring to when she’d crawled through his doggie door to help Doug. As soon as he made the suggestion, panic swept over him. “Not that I’m inviting you inside tonight.” He cleared his throat. “I mean…”
“I understand what you meant. You’re the last guy who’d ever invite me inside for anything more than a true nightcap.”
Gil relaxed a bit. “Is that so? I guess that means you think highly of me?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Are you fishing for compliments, Mr. Mayor?”
“Well, this is a boat.” He chuckled softly. “I’m glad you’re out here on the water with me. The sunset will happen in about ten minutes. If you’ve never seen it from the water, you’ve never seen it.”
“Hmm. Well, you’re building it up pretty good. I hope it meets my expectations.”
