Moira held up the book they were supposed to be discussing. “Can we please talk about the book for book club?”
Tess folded her legs under her body. “Fine.” She placed her book on her lap. “But what are you going to do if he wins another term as mayor? When the votes come in, it could get complicated between you two.”
“Maybe, but I can be an adult about it.”
“Mm-hmm. And what if you win?” Tess asked.
“Then he’ll be an adult,” Moira said as if the answer was obvious.
“Gil would be out of a job doing what he loves. Are you sure he’ll be okay with that?” Della asked.
“The election is still months away. We have a lot of time. We might not even be together come election time.”
Tess hummed thoughtfully. “I think you know that’s not the case. I think that’s why you’ve been avoiding Gil all these years. You haven’t been ready to explore this thing between you two. And now you are.”
Moira kind of knew Tess was right. Some part of her had always known that exploring the attraction between her and Gil would lead to so much more than she was ready for. At least what she was ready for before now. “All I know is running for mayor is something that excites me more than I’ve been in a long time. Gil excites me too. Maybe I shouldn’t hope that I can have both, but I do.”
Tess stuck her hand over Moira’s. “You’re my best friend. And if you want both, I say go for it.”
“I wholeheartedly agree,” Lucy said. “You’ve waited a long time for love.”
“Love?” Moira pulled back, jaw dropping. “It’s a little soon for that, don’t you think?”
“Well, it’s not a crush. You’re way past crush. And we all know Gil has been in love with you since kindergarten,” Lucy said matter-of-factly.
Moira looked at Tess, who didn’t seem to disagree. Moira’s insides churned. She was ready to explore this thing between her and Gil, but she wasn’t quite sure she was ready for the big L-word.
Seeming to read her face, Tess held up the book again. “Okay, time to talk about this book. For real this time, ladies.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Gil wasn’t naive. He knew what he was walking into tonight at the tavern. The guys were going to hound him about whom he’d purchased flowers for. His friends were pretty ruthless when it came to teasing each other.
He could lie, but that wasn’t his way. It also wasn’t his style to kiss and tell.
“So, Gilbert,” Miles began, drawing out his syllables in a playful fashion.
All the men’s heads swiveled in Gil’s direction.
Uh-oh. Here it comes.
“Who is she?” Miles wanted to know.
Gil played dumb for a minute, focusing his gaze on the carbonated bubbles of his soda. “Who is who?” he asked casually.
“The mystery woman you bought flowers for,” Jake said, following Miles’s lead.
Gil cleared his throat. “She is a wonderful woman who I don’t want to discuss right now.”
Jake elbowed him from where he sat on Gil’s left side. “I think this is great news, buddy.”
Gil inhaled deeply and shook his head simultaneously. “This new relationship of mine is in the beginning stages. We’re trying to keep things private.”
The guys stared at him. Gil thought they were probably trying to decide whether to pursue the topic some more or drop it.
“You and Moira looked pretty cozy at the lock-in the other weekend,” Miles said.
“Uh-oh.” Roman grinned. He and River were sitting across the table from Gil. “Don’t let your new mystery girl hear that.”
Gil reached for his soda and took a sip, tempering his reaction. “Speaking of fundraisers, I was considering doing another barbecue picnic at my house. Just like I did for my first campaign.”
“Sounds good,” River said.
“You and Tess will come then?” Gil clarified.
“I’m not sure about Tess. She’s loyal to Moira so…” River trailed off.
“Gil, buddy, you might need to step up your campaign game this election. You have two people going up against you. It’s not a sure deal this time around,” Jake said. When Gil had run against former mayor Bryce Malsop, things had been different. The people of Somerset Lake were fairly unanimous in their desire for change.
Gil nodded. “Yeah, I get that. I’m not sure where to start though. I won’t make promises that I don’t intend to keep. I’m not that kind of politician.”
“I’m sure Denise doesn’t mind promising her voters the world on a platter,” Jake said.
Gil sighed. “Hopefully my voters trust me to be honest with them. The moment I stop doing that is the moment I don’t deserve the mayor’s office.”
Jake patted his back. “Well, I am one hundred percent behind you.”
All the guys agreed.
Gil looked around the table. “Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it.”
“Our counterparts, however, are voting for Moira. Sorry, buddy.” Miles offered an apologetic look.
Gil chuckled. He wasn’t at all offended. “As long as they’re not voting for Denise.”
“What will you do if you don’t win?” Jake asked. “Return to practicing law?”
Gil shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. Not in the traditional sense at least. I just want to help people. If I don’t win this election, I’ll have to find another way.”
Miles lifted his drink. “A toast. To a mayor who cares.”
Jake lifted his glass, followed by River and Roman. “To Mayor Gilbert.”
Gil massaged his forehead in mock frustration. It wasn’t that he minded his full name—much. He didn’t mind being teased by his friends either. He lifted his glass as well. “To good friends.”
* * *
Later that night, Gil felt like the weight of the world—or at least his small section of it—was on his shoulders as he walked through his home with Goldie trailing him. The question of what he’d do if he didn’t win was weighing on his mind as he changed clothes and climbed into bed with Goldie at his side. He reached for his laptop to review a few documents for work, when his doorbell rang.
Gil groaned when Goldie took off running toward the front of the house. Who would visit at this time of night? The only person he could think of was Doug.
Gil got up and went to go answer, turning over reasons in his head to send Doug away. “Doug, I’m not up to visiting tonight—” He opened the door and stumbled over his words. They all got stuck in his throat.
“Um, hi,” Moira said. “I know it’s late.”
“Not at all. Do you want to come in?”
“Unless you’re busy.”
“I’m not.” Gil motioned her inside.
Moira stepped past the threshold and turned to face him.
“What’s up?” They hadn’t talked about meeting tonight. She had book club, and he had his Thursday night at the tavern.
“I don’t know. I just…”
The look on her face made Gil’s heart drop. She was hesitating to say something. She almost looked apologetic. “What is it?”