28. Chapter 28

Chapter twenty-eight

"It's a girl thing."

G age and Sydney were sitting with Booker and Clementine in the dining room of the Ambrose Tavern. Londyn was serving them and had brought them drinks from the bar. Clementine was drinking a virgin daiquiri. The men were drinking beer. And Sydney had a glass of wine.

The April Fool's Day dance was held on the fourth this year in order to be held on a Saturday. It was semi-formal, despite the holiday, and they were all dressed accordingly. Clementine had found something to wear, and Sydney looked beautiful. Gage was impressed by both women. And he had to admit, both he and Booker looked pretty good in their suits.

Remington came out of the kitchen to say hi to them.

"Wow. Look at this crew. Very striking."

Clementine smiled. "Thank you. Although, I'm hardly striking in this dress that is a wee bit tight."

He kissed her on the cheek. "You're beautiful, sis."

Booker took her hand. "I agree."

"Alright, fine. I'm gorgeous."

"That's the Calaway spirit. Calaway Rafferty spirit now, I guess. What are you having tonight?"

Londyn came up beside him. "Excuse me, boss. That's my job."

Remington gave her a slight bow. "You're right, of course. You may give your order to my lovely waitress. Have fun at the dance."

Gage nodded. "Thanks, Remi. You and Bryn aren't going?"

"No. Bryn sailed through the first trimester. But now she's been getting morning sickness every evening. I need to go home and help her with Adisyn."

"So, you're working alone tonight?"

"Uncle Rand has been here since four."

Clementine took Remington's arm. "Tell Bryn we love her."

"Will do. Have a good night."

Dinner was good as always and when they were finished, the women excused themselves to go to the restroom. Gage watched them go, then looked at Booker.

"Why do they always go in pairs? I've never once asked a guy to go to the bathroom with me."

Booker laughed. "It's a girl thing." He drank some water. "I hope you know I didn't run home and tell Clementine about you and Sydney."

"She said as much."

"She just always seems to know."

Gage laughed. "You guys are pretty tuned in to each other."

"Yeah. It's kind of scary, actually."

"I bet. Even if you had been able to keep it to yourself, it would've gotten out. And now, everyone knows."

"I don't know how Clementine and I kept our relationship quiet for as long as we did."

"You had more of a reason to do so."

"Yeah. Job security."

"It all worked out in the end."

Sydney was washing her hands when Clementine came out of the stall and shook her head. "I swear, I can't go more than thirty minutes without going to the bathroom."

"It'll all be worth it in the end. Just look how precious Raphael is. I'm sure Elaina has forgotten all about being pregnant."

"He is beautiful, isn't he?"

"You still don't know what you're having?"

"No."

"What do you want? And don't say it doesn't matter. Even though you will love it either way, you must have a secret preference."

Clementine smiled. "I'd like a girl. There are still too many boys in this new generation. Four boys to two girls. We need to even things out this time around."

"What does Booker want?"

"He won't say. But I'm pretty sure he'd like to have a boy. He had such a crap father and I think he'd like the chance to do it right. But that works with either sex. A boy is just more familiar to him."

Sydney put her hands on Clementine's stomach. "I'll make a prediction." She closed her eyes. "This baby is…a girl."

"Are you really a baby predictor?"

Sydney laughed. "I could be. You never know."

"Okay. I'm going to make a prediction of my own." She took Sydney's hands. "You and my brother will be married by this time next year."

"Oh wow. You know, I'm just happy he's finally owning up to his feelings. I'm in no rush to get married. We can just live together forever. I'd be fine with that."

"No. Don't let him get away with that. If he loves you, then he needs to put a ring on it. I agree with not rushing him. But don't let him get away with it forever."

"I'm just taking it one slow day at a time."

"Is he taking baby steps?"

"Oh yeah. Which is fine. It's just a little sporadic. But when he's on. He's on."

Clementine held up a hand. "Okay. That's all I need to know. As long as you're happy and he's happy. I can't ask for more than that."

"I am happy. And I believe he's happy and totally onboard."

"Good. Then let him take his baby steps. He'll get there."

After dinner, they left for the dance at the community center. Gage and Sydney followed Booker and Clementine. When Booker parked his Blazer in one of the two spots reserved for law enforcement, Gage pulled into the other one.

He rolled down his window. "Does future mayor qualify for this space?"

"Sure. I promise I won't give you a ticket."

Gage laughed. "And the nepotism begins."

The large room was decorated and reminded Gage of what prom must look like. He didn't go to prom. But if he did, it would've looked like this. There was a good turnout, and he knew he'd be spending a fair amount of his time shaking hands and talking to people. That was the reason he originally agreed to come. But now, all he wanted to do was spend time with Sydney.

There was a table reserved for them, and they all sat down. Clementine picked up the placard with Gage's name on it.

"Wow. This really brings it home. I'm related to the mayor."

"Actually, you've been related to all the mayors of Calaway Crossing since they elected their first mayor in 1875. With the exception of Mayor Bessler, of course."

Booker shook his head. "How did he even get elected?"

"No one in the family wanted to run. They were all too busy raising kids. Now they don't have that excuse. But only Uncle Duncan was interested. Then when he couldn't do it…" Gage held up his hand. "I somehow got wrangled into it."

"You're going to do great."

"Everyone keeps telling me that. I sure hope I'm not a giant disappointment."

Sydney patted his hand, and Clementine hugged him. "You will never be a disappointment. You're incapable of being less than stellar."

Sydney nodded. "I agree."

Clementine stood and took Gage's arm. "Before I spend the rest of the night dancing with my sexy husband, I want to dance with you."

"You do?"

"Yes. You can't turn down a pregnant woman."

"You know, you've only got a couple more months to use that excuse." He got to his feet and let her lead him to the dance floor. They found an open spot and began dancing.

She looked at him. "I can tell you're happy. Which makes me happy."

"I'm still getting used to the idea. But, yeah. I'm happy."

"Good. I've always liked Sydney. And God knows, she waited long enough for you to come around."

"I wasn't aware of how she felt until recently."

"I know. If you had known, would you have been ready to accept it and act accordingly?"

He shook his head. "I don't think so. I think the timing had to be right. A year ago, I wouldn't have known what to do with the information."

"I like how honest you are, Gage."

"We're all honest."

"I know. But you're different."

"Is that good or bad?"

"It's good. Especially since Sydney is aware of it. She's spent three years getting to know you."

"And she still wants to be with me."

"She loves you."

"Hmm. I suppose she does."

Clementine squealed. "I'm so excited for you guys. This is the fun part. The getting to really know each other part."

"Are you saying once you get married and start having kids, the fun is over?"

"No. It's just exciting in a different way. Booker and I still have plenty of fun."

"I'm sure you do."

They danced to the end of the song, then went back to the table. Clementine pulled Booker to his feet. "Come on, handsome. Dance with your wife."

"Yes, ma'am."

Gage sat down and smiled at Sydney. "I think my sister is a little bit crazy."

"She sure loves Booker. And he adores her. I think it's beautiful."

"They set a pretty high standard. If that's what you aspire to… I don't know."

She took his hand. "Gage. Are you saying you won't ever adore me?"

"No. It just might not be so blatantly obvious."

She nodded. "I know what I'm getting into. I don't need blatantly obvious. You can adore me in your own subtle way."

He smiled. "Let's go dance. I think we can reach some sort of middle ground between blatant and subtle."

"Let's see what you got, boss."

They stayed at the dance for three hours. Which to Gage was about an hour too long. But he did what he originally planned to do. He talked to people and let them get to know him. He and Sydney danced several times, and if there was anyone at the dance who hadn't heard the news, they knew it now. Sydney and Gage were officially a couple.

Gage drove Sydney to the small house she rented in town. He'd never been inside, but when he walked her to the door, she smiled at him.

"Do you want to come in for a drink? Or some coffee?"

He took her hands. "I think this falls under the let's take it slow rule."

She nodded. "Okay."

He put his hand on her cheek. "I know this is not a guy thing to say, but I'm not ready. And I know you're just suggesting a drink. But I think it could turn into breakfast if I went inside right now."

"I understand. I really do."

"It's not that I don't want that. Or haven't been thinking about it a lot." He smiled. "A lot. It's a big step and I just—"

"Gage. It's fine."

"Okay." He leaned in and kissed her. "I do adore you. I want you to know that."

"Thank you. I adore you, too."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Why?"

"I just turned you down. That's not very adorable."

"Yes, it is." She kissed him. "Adorable and completely Gage Calaway."