“Ready. You said Goldie was the jealous type. If you go home smelling like all these guys, you’ll be in so much trouble with your dog.”
Gil chuckled. “Yes, I will. But, if I’m with you, it’ll be worth it.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Moira had stopped noticing the double takes and looks of surprise as she and Gil walked hand in hand, and she was now just focused on enjoying herself. And she was. This was the best date she’d ever had. “Who’d have thought an animal adoption fair could be so much fun?” She looked up at Gil from where she was kneeling in front of an adorable brown and white Cavalier spaniel mix.
Gil squatted beside her and petted the little pup’s head as well. “I would have.”
Moira’s gaze hung on him for an extended moment. Then the puppy tugged on her sweater, regaining her attention. “You are pretty demanding, huh?” she asked the puppy, who licked her palm in response.
“I think she likes you. I can’t blame her, really.”
Moira side-eyed him. “Such a charmer.”
He leaned in to kiss her, and she was very aware that this was their first public kiss. They’d been holding hands, so it was obvious they were here together, but a kiss confirmed their relationship for anyone who doubted.
Gil paused just a millimeter from her mouth. “You okay with this?”
“Mm-hmm,” she said, her heartbeat quickening.
Gil leaned in again, and then the puppy jumped up between them and ran its tongue over both of their faces.
“Eww!” Moira laughed. “Either the puppy got us or you’re one sloppy kisser, Mr. Mayor.”
Gil used his shirtsleeve to wipe his face as well. “Wow. Goldie really is going to have a fit when I get home this evening.” He patted the puppy’s head again. “You sure you’re not in the market for a puppy?”
Moira shook her head quickly. “I’ve always loved this breed. My grandmother used to have a Cavalier. I don’t make rash decisions though, remember? Bringing Molly home with me would be impulsive.”
“Moira and Molly has a ring to it. Just saying.”
Moira straightened back to a standing position, and Gil did as well. She looked down at Molly. “Don’t worry, girl. You’ll find your forever home.” Moira turned to Gil. “Just not with me.”
Gil reached for her hand again. “Now, where were we before Molly so rudely interrupted us? Ah, yes. We were just about to kiss.”
Moira grinned, heart leaping back into her throat.
“Hey, you two!”
Both Moira and Gil separated short of a kiss when they heard Denise Berger’s voice.
“Well, this is interesting, isn’t it?” Denise looked practically giddy. “My two rivals in the race for mayor are a little more than rivals with one another.”
“Hello, Denise,” Gil said politely.
Moira had to give it to him. He had grace in difficult situations. She guessed that made him a good mayor. She forced a smile and tried to do the same. “Are you here looking for a new pet?”
Denise offered up a fake laugh, pulling her hand to her chest. “Oh, no. Not me. I’m not a dog person.”
Gil held on to his smile. “Maybe you should be.”
“Excuse me?” Denise asked, smile slipping at the corners.
Gil shrugged. “This town loves dogs. A mayor without a dog just wouldn’t seem right here. Plus, dogs make us better human beings. It’s a fact.”
“I’m a perfectly fine human being as it is.” She looked at Moira. “Are you getting a new pet?”
“No. I’m just here with Gil.”
“Well, that’s fairly obvious.” Denise’s smile showed off lipstick-smudged front teeth. It served her right for having such a snooty attitude. “I wonder what voters will think of this new relationship of yours.”
“I suspect my voters will be happy for me,” Gil said. “I’m sure Moira’s will as well. Dogs aren’t the only things that make us better human beings. Sometimes people make each other better too.”
Moira’s heart skipped. Did he mean that? Was he talking about her?
“I see. Well, it’s good to see you both,” Denise said. “I’m going to continue forward.”
“Shaking hands and kissing babies,” Gil said, surprising Moira. She’d never known him to be remotely rude. She wasn’t even sure if this qualified.
“Well, that’s the nature of politics, right?” Denise winked. Then she looked at them both, her gaze hanging on Moira a little too long. It made Moira uncomfortable. She didn’t really have anything against Denise other than the fact that she didn’t think Denise should serve the town as mayor.
“That was a bit weird,” she said once Denise was out of earshot.
“If she becomes mayor this fall, I’m moving,” Gil said.
Moira playfully punched his shoulder. “No, you’re not. You have lived here all your life.”
“Except for college.” As soon as Gil said it, his smile dropped. He cleared his throat, looking suddenly tense.
“It’s okay,” Moira said in a quiet voice. “Nothing really happened, thanks to you. I can’t blame you for having a bad roommate.”
“Understatement,” Gil said. “I never would have forgiven myself if anything had happened that night, you know.”
Moira nodded, believing him. “I know. You’re a good person, and I think you’re right. I’m a better person with you around.”
* * *
An hour later, both Moira and Gil had actually shaken hands and kissed several babies.
“I didn’t think I liked puppies,” Moira said. “I always thought if I ever got a dog, I’d want an older one. But puppies are so much fun.”
“Now that Goldie is all grown up, I miss the puppy stage,” Gil said.
“Well, there are plenty here to go around.”
Gil shook his head. “What about Molly? You’ve had an hour to consider her. It wouldn’t be a rash decision to bring her home now.”
Moira turned to him. Some part of her wanted to bring Gil home tonight. That would be rash though. And it would be crossing a line they couldn’t uncross. She wasn’t ready for that just yet. She liked taking things slow between them. “I don’t have any pet supplies.”
“They sell them here, you know.”
Moira tilted her head to one side. “Why are you trying so hard to get me to bring a puppy home, Mayor Gil?”
He chuckled. “I meant what I told Denise earlier. Dogs make us better humans. Not that I think you need to improve in any way. I think you’re pretty perfect as is.”
Moira felt her whole body warm. “You might be the first man to ever think so.”
He reached out and slid an unruly strand of her hair behind her ear. “Doubtful. You’re a little intimidating, that’s all.”
“Me?” She laughed at the idea.
“Yeah. You’re hard to read, in a good way. A man likes to know he’s not going to fail. They look for all the signs that women send them to ensure them they’re going to achieve success. You don’t really send those signals out. It’s a risk pursuing you.”