Moira took a breath. “My friends know. My mom knows too.”
“You told them?” Gil was confused. “I thought we agreed to keep this under wraps.”
“We did. I didn’t have to tell them though. They just figured it out. I mean, you weren’t exactly normal when you chatted with me and my mom earlier this week. It was kind of obvious.”
Gil ran a hand through his hair. “Well, the guys didn’t figure it out, but I’m sure they all know now, considering that your friends are all coupled up with mine.”
Moira grimaced. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Gil stepped toward her, bracing her elbows with his hands. “We’re dating. It’s not a crime. Yeah, it might be better for us if we kept this thing between us private for a little longer, but”—he shrugged—“now that it’s inevitable, we should probably control our own narrative.”
“What do you mean?” Moira asked.
“I mean, instead of hiding and being found out, we should own this and go public.”
The corner of Moira’s mouth quirked. “I like the sound of that. How do you suggest we come out as a couple?”
“By having a date that’s not at your place or mine. A real, out-in-the-open date.”
Moira’s smile grew. “I think I know the perfect place. There’s an animal adoption fair for the local animal shelter going on at Hannigan Square tomorrow.”
Gil grinned. “I know. I always attend those fairs. That’s where I got my Goldie, you know.”
“No, I didn’t know that,” Moira said excitedly.
“I’m kind of surprised you’d suggest that for a date though. I didn’t realize you liked animals.”
“Of course I do.”
Gil loved the idea. “I’ll woo you with my ability to make balloon animals for the kids.”
Moira looked impressed. “You’re a twister?”
“It’s one of my many talents.” He stepped closer to her, unable to resist. “If you’re lucky, I might even make you a balloon animal.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Gil tugged her closer. “It will be. Nothing warms your heart like seeing a dog’s or cat’s large, hopeless eyes light up.”
“Then count me in. It’s a date.”
* * *
Moira angled herself right and left in front of her full-length mirror. An animal adoption fair wasn’t exactly the kind of event you dressed up for. A date with the current mayor, however, was. She’d compromised by wearing a pair of white denim capris and a cardigan sweater over a soft, fitted tee. Even this was a far cry from the holey jeans and T-shirts she wore while working dispatch.
“Moira Green for mayor,” she said to her reflection in the mirror. At one point, she hadn’t believed that statement for a second, but the more she said it, the more she did.
That wasn’t what this evening was about though. Tonight was about letting the community know that she and Gil were in a budding relationship. No more hiding. Tonight was also about laying eyes on her caller Beth. Moira now knew Beth worked for Animal Rescue Ranch—AR Ranch. Hopefully, she’d be working the event, and Moira could get some peace of mind that Beth was okay.
The doorbell rang, and nervous flutters stormed Moira’s chest.
She hurried to the door and opened it to find Gil dressed in a pair of dark-rinse jeans and a collared shirt.
“You look…” His gaze dropped, making those butterfly flutters even more intense.
“You don’t have to lie,” she said before he could finish his sentence. “It’s an animal adoption fair though. I didn’t think a sundress would really be all that appropriate.”
“It doesn’t matter what you wear. You look amazing in anything.” His gaze returned to hers.
“Aww.” Moira’s gaze dropped now. “What? No flowers this time?”
Gil looked taken aback. “I didn’t want to become too predictable. I’ve heard predictability is a death sentence for a new relationship.”
Moira laughed. “I’m just teasing. I don’t need flowers anyway. I’m content to just hold your hand.”
Gil reached out his hand for her to take.
When she placed her palm against his, he lifted her hand to his lips and planted a kiss below her knuckles, making her insides warm.
“Ready to give this town something to talk about?” he asked.
“I think they’ve already been talking about us,” she said. “Seeing that we’re running against each other.”
“Maybe so, but we’re about to give them something much juicier to discuss.” He winked and tipped his head toward his truck in the driveway.
Moira stepped outside her door, pulled it shut behind her, and locked it. Then she followed Gil to the passenger side of his truck and allowed him to open the door for her. “Don’t let me bring any critters home with me tonight,” she said once Gil was settled in the driver’s seat beside her.
“No? Why not?”
Moira shrugged. “I like to think things through. I don’t make rash decisions if I can help it, and adopting a cute little dog or cat would fall into the rash-decision category.”
Gil reversed out of her driveway. “I didn’t think Goldie through when I brought her home, and she is one of my better decisions. Sometimes you just have to follow your heart.”
Moira watched out the window as they passed the homes on her street. “Not this girl. Not tonight.”
“Okay. I’ll do my best to keep you from falling in love, but no promises.”
Moira’s gaze darted across the seat, meeting his.
Gil cleared his throat. “Falling in love with an animal, that is. If you want to fall for something or someone else, that’s completely up to you.”
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up to Hannigan Square.
“It’s so hard to find parking,” Gil commented offhandedly. Then he glanced over. “Sorry. Not to bring up a sore subject.”
“No, I agree with you,” she said. “It is hard. It doesn’t mean that my mom’s bakery needs to be demolished to fix the problem though.”
Gil circled the square and finally slowed. “Bingo. There’s one I can squeeze into. It’ll have us walking a ways though.”
“I’m perfectly capable.”
Gil parallel parked into a spot on the curb about a block from the square and then looked over. “Ready to go public?”
“Not really.” Moira reached for his hand for a moment. “To tell you the truth, I’m a little nervous.”
“Me too. But this will be fun. I promise.”
Moira nodded. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
Gil pushed his truck door open. “Stay there. I’m doing this right tonight.”
Moira waited as he ran around and opened her door for her. Then she stepped out and took his outstretched hand in hers.
Once again, Gil lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
“Oh, my heavens!” someone said from behind them.
Moira froze and slid her gaze toward Gil. They’d barely gotten started with this date, and they were already outed as a couple in a huge way.