Geoducks Are for Lovers Read Online Free PDF Page B

the last time she saw it, but it’s still a handsome composition of angles. Wearing khaki shorts and a faded Jane’s Addiction T-shirt, he is a mix of old friend and stranger.
    Gil makes eye contact with Maggie and smiles. He runs his hand through his hair, and gives her a small wave. 
    “Who’s this fine beast?” Gil asks.
    Biscuit sniffs around the newcomers. Gil scratches the dog’s head, and from the way Biscuit leans into him, the two of them will be fast friends.
    “That’s Biscuit. He’s a manwhore,” Quinn answers for Maggie who stands quietly staring at Gil.
    “Hi, Maggie.” Gil strides over to her and gives her a friendly peck on the cheek. 
    “Hi,” she says as she hugs him. It is a hug of two strangers who used to be friends, who used to be more. Gil’s tall frame towers over hers—she barely comes up to his shoulder. She inhales his clean scent with hints of sunscreen and salt. He smells like summer.
    “Hi,” he says again and then laughs at himself. “I guess I already said that.”
    “Hi.” She laughs along with him.
    “Sorry to crash the weekend. Hope you don’t mind.” His deep voice is soft with genuine feeling.
    “Of course not. It wouldn’t be the whole gang if you weren’t here.” She hopes she sounds cooler than she feels.
    Selah comes over and saves them from the awkwardness. She steps between Maggie and Gil, and hugs Maggie. Gil walks over to shake Quinn’s hand.
    “Forgive me?” Selah whispers in her ear.
    “We’ll see,” Maggie whispers back.
    Louder Maggie says, “How was the ferry? Where are your bags? Do you want wine? There’s a Rosé open. Or beer. You probably want a beer, Gil. I have beer. Or iced tea. You don’t have to drink.”
    The word vomit seems unstoppable until Selah touches her arm.
    “The ferry was good. Quick once we got onto the boat. Bags are in the car. Why don’t we all sit, have a drink, enjoy the view, and then you can give us a tour,” Selah says, rubbing Maggie’s arms.
    “Sounds good to me,” Gil answers. 
    “Beer or wine?” Quinn asks as he steps toward the door to the living room.
    “Wine for me,” Selah responds.
    “Beer’s fine. I’ll come with you,” Gil says, following Quinn inside.
    With only the screen door closed, the guys’ voices carry outside. Knowing they can be overheard as well, Maggie walks Selah over to the table in the far corner of the deck.
    “Want to explain what you’re up to?” 
    Selah puts on a knowing smile. “Exactly what you fear and hope I’m doing. I’m putting you and Gil in the same place at the same time again. Only this time you’re both single and no dead body to drag down the mood.”
    “Nice. I’m sure Lizzy appreciates that. What about his girlfriend?”
    “What girlfriend?” Selah smirks.
    “What do you mean ‘what girlfriend’? The one you told me he’s been seeing for ages.”
    “Hmmm. Doesn’t ring a bell.” Selah winks.
    Maggie is stunned by Selah’s revelation. She’s assumed Gil had a girlfriend for the past year based on cryptic responses Selah gave her whenever she asked about him. She gives Selah a dirty look.
    “Oh, come on. There’s always been something between you and Gil. Stewing, brewing, steeping, fermenting between the two of you, but the timing was never right. Now the time is right. Plus, I’m bored of playing telephone for you two Luddites, so I figure why not put you in the same place before the reunion, and get all the awkward out of the way.”
    She pauses to take a sip of Rosé and plops a nut in her mouth. “And now that Gil’s here, this weekend will be a mini-reunion of all my favorite Greeners from college. Call me selfish.” Selah eats another pecan and pulls out one of the teak deck chairs. “Sit, and let’s enjoy our wine. Tell me what you’ve been up to this past week. If you are good I’ll tell you about Jeremy.”
    “Jeremy? New lover?”
    “Perhaps. I haven’t decided yet.” 
    “Sounds more like you’ve