Page 75 of The Good Luck Cafe
Gil looked at his feet for a moment. “I guess I’m still getting used to the fact that you can even tolerate being in the same room with me, much less kiss me.”
She stepped out onto the porch and tipped her head back to look up at him. “I can tolerate it, and I even kind of like it.”
Gil’s heart squeezed. He liked it too—a lot. He also liked seeing Moira this happy. He dipped his head and touched his mouth to hers in a brief kiss that lit him up like a sky full of fireworks. “Good night, Moira. Sweet dreams.”
“Night.”
He headed back to his truck and got inside, missing the feel of Moira in his arms. Some part of him had loved this woman most of his adult life. Now he had his chance with her, and he didn’t want to begin this relationship in secret. He wanted to take Moira out to the nicest restaurant in town. He wanted to date her openly among everyone.
When he got home, Goldie had her nose pressed against his window, watching him as he walked up the driveway. He unlocked the door and took a moment to pet her. She spent extra time sniffing his clothes. “Yeah, Goldie, I was cheating on you with another woman. Her name is Moira. Looks like you might have to start sharing me,” he told his dog.
Goldie tilted her head as if she was trying to make out what he was saying. There were a few statements Goldie knew for sure.
“Wanna go out?” he asked.
Goldie darted toward the back door. Gil let her out and waited on the back deck as she did her business. Then he called her back. “Bedtime.”
Goldie was the only female who’d been in his bedroom for years. His dating life had been lackluster despite his being named Most Eligible Bachelor in Somerset Lake last year. Even if he wanted to, it was tough bringing anyone home because his parents lived next door and his brother was always dropping by unannounced. He missed having someone in his life. A romantic someone whom he could share dreams of the future with.
Gil changed into a pair of sweatpants for sleep and plopped down on his bed. Goldie jumped into the space right beside him. “What do you think, Goldie? Do you mind sharing me if the right woman were to come along?”
Goldie tilted her head, looking confused.
Gil wasn’t confused though. There was noif. The right womanhadcome along. He’d found her, and all he needed to do was figure out how to keep her.
***
The next morning Gil yawned as he looked at his brother, standing on his porch.
“What is this?” Doug asked.
“Hello to you as well.”
Doug was holding up a phone for Gil to see.
Gil blinked the screen into view. No matter how many times he asked Doug to hold off on coming over so early, Doug never listened. “Reva’s blog? Doug, it’s way too early for that.”
Doug walked into the house and headed toward the kitchen.
How would this work if Gil ever did have a woman sleep over? No woman would want to be woken at daybreak.
“You made a bullet point,” Doug said.
“Oh, good. Free publicity.”
Doug slid his phone across the counter to where Gil was now standing. “Read it.”
Gil frowned. “You’re bossy, you know that?” He picked up the phone and read.
Mayor Gil is rumored to have purchased a bouquet of flowers this week. My sources say they weren’t for his mother, so who is the woman of the hour? Is our Most Eligible Bachelor about to be off the market? Who is the mystery woman?
Gil massaged a hand over his face. “Leave me alone,” he growled under his breath.
“Me?” Doug asked.
Gil lowered his hand and shook his head. “Not you, Doug. Reva and all the spies who will now be trying to figure out who I’m dating. I’m supposed to be the mayor of this town. How can I be taken seriously if I’m being voted Most Eligible Bachelor and hounded about my dating life?” He turned to start the coffee maker. This news called for two cups today. “It’s not easy being mayor, Doug.”
“Nothing worthwhile is easy,” Doug said, echoing what their mom always told them when they were growing up. Things had been easier for Gil than for Doug. When Doug was growing up, it had seemed like acquiring every new skill was a challenge. Doug never gave up though. He wasn’t a quitter. Gil had learned everything he knew about perseverance from his brother.
