Page 91 of The Good Luck Cafe
Moira set her empty glass down and turned back toward her bedroom, doubting she’d get any quality sleep tonight with this new revelation.
***
“I can’t believe this place will be a parking lot soon.” Moira popped a piece of her bagel into her mouth as she sat across from Tess the following week.
“So you’ve given up on saving Sweetie’s?”
Moira shrugged. “I don’t really have a choice. My mom wants to retire in the fall. It’s her decision, not mine.”
“Hmm.” Tess looked around the bakeshop thoughtfully. “There are a lot of memories wrapped up in these walls.”
Moira looked around as well. “Hannigan Street definitely won’t be the same. But at least everyone will stop complaining about not having anywhere to park.”
Tess laughed quietly. “True, I guess. I’m even nostalgic about that. I mean, what will we all moan and groan about if not parking?”
Moira tore another piece of her bagel off but didn’t eat it just yet. Instead she sat there thoughtfully for a moment.
“What’s wrong?” Tess asked. “I can tell when something is on your mind. What is it?”
Moira blinked her friend into focus. “It’s just… I like Gil.”
Tess looked at her strangely. “I know you do. That’s a good thing, right?”
Moira nodded. “I mean, Ireallylike Gil.”
Tess’s gaze narrowed. “I know that too. You remind me of the way I felt when I was falling for River.”
“So you think I’m falling for Gil?” Moira asked.
Tess angled her head. “Are you really looking to me for answers? I think you can answer this question yourself.”
Moira tore another piece off her bagel, leaving it beside the first. She wasn’t hungry in the slightest. She just needed something to do with her hands. “You know, I almost adopted a puppy the other night. A puppy.”
Tess grinned. “Yeah, so?”
“So”—Moira shook her head and gestured at herself—“who is this person, and what did she do with the real Moira Green?”
“Youarethe real Moira Green. And it’s nice to see you opening yourself up to new things. Like a puppy. Why didn’t you adopt it?”
“Because someone else took her home before me.” Moira picked another piece of bagel off. “Is this what happened with you and River? Did you start contemplating getting a dog all of a sudden?”
Tess chuckled. “Actually, yes. But River’s dog is enough canine for me. I’m considering getting a cat for the bookshop though.”
“Oh, fun.” Moira finally popped the piece of bread into her mouth and chewed. “Maybe you can turn the bookshop into part cat café.”
Tess pulled back and held up her hands. “That sounds like way too much work. I sell books, not coffee, tea, and pastries.”
“Right. My mom is actually working on a new hangout for Sweetie’s customers. Turns out the diner down the street lost a lot of its morning customers to the bakery, so it quit serving breakfast during the week.”
“Things always work out the way they’re supposed to.” Tess pushed back from the table. “I’ve got to go open the store. Lara has a dentist appointment this morning. Talk to you later?”
Moira nodded. “I have to get home for dispatch.”
“Maybe you’ll save another life, Miss Small-Town Hero,” Tess teased.
“Maybe so.” But she would most likely sit at her desk and doodle Gil’s name like she’d done the last several shifts.
***
