Page 20 of Scoop Me Up (Love in Maplewood #7)

Gabe

Sam had come home bubbling over with news about the ice cream shop and as I listened to them share, warmth settled on me, a type of secondary happiness.

I loved being included in the important things in their life, and to my surprise, I enjoyed spending the evenings with them, instead of being alone.

Most of my evenings in Burlington had been spent alone, and I truly hadn’t realized how much I missed the company until I had it again.

The next few days were filled with little things that made me stop and take notice.

As I woke up each morning, I heard Sam bustling around the kitchen, the scent of coffee reaching me as Sam got ready for work each day.

Getting up, I noticed their toothbrush next to mine in the bathroom and it made my heart skip a beat.

I could get used to this , I thought as I brushed my teeth and got ready for my workday.

Our evenings were also full of little things—bumping shoulders as we washed dishes, soft teasing, getting tangled up together on the couch and ending up kissing each other breathless.

On Friday, I got up early to have breakfast with Sam before they went to school. “One more week,” I said as they passed me a steaming mug of coffee they’d poured for me.

Sam nodded, their eyes sadder than I’d expected. “One more week,” they echoed quietly.

“Hey.” I put my hand on their upper arm. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

They forced a smile and nodded again. “I’m sure. It’s just scary. Everything is changing. I’m not sure I ever expected this to actually happen.”

I pulled them in for a soft, gentle kiss, and when we parted, I stroked Sam’s arm with my thumb. “It’s happening. And it’s going to be great.”

“What if it isn’t? What if the ice cream shop flops?”

“It won’t. This town won’t let it. But, on the off chance that it does, you can return to teaching, right?”

“That’s a good point. I’m sure the principal would take me back if there was an opening.”

“You’ve got this.” I kissed them once more, just to punctuate the conversation.

Once Sam left for the day, I settled down at my laptop to get to work. No sooner had I started checking my emails than I got a message from Adam, the colleague who’d sent me the job offer, asking if I could jump on a video call.

“Hey, Adam,” I said as my camera flickered to life.

Adam was someone I’d worked with in the past, someone known as a rising star in the business consultancy field.

He’d come to me for input on projects even since we’d stopped being coworkers, but I knew that this call wasn’t going to be advice-seeking.

He wanted to know if I was going to take the job offer.

“Gabe, how’s it going?” He looked directly into the camera for a second, running a hand through his sandy blond hair.

I nodded and lifted my coffee cup to him. “I’m great. Just getting started for the day.”

“Same here. I’m glad we were able to connect.”

He opened his mouth to continue, but I jumped in. “Listen, Adam, let’s cut to the chase. I’m going to have to decline the job offer.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Really? Do you mind if I ask why?”

What was I supposed to say? There were so many factors.

“This is a huge offer, you know. It would really send your reputation skyrocketing.”

I shook my head dismissively. “I don’t need to skyrocket my reputation. My clients already love me and I get more than enough referrals to keep myself going.”

“Sure, but this offer… you’ll make more money than you’ve ever seen before. I told you, name your price. They’ll give you whatever you’re asking.”

It was tempting, but no. I chuckled and shrugged. “It’s not about money. I do alright for myself with my current workload. I’m going to invest in some businesses out here.”

He frowned, brow furrowing. “Out there? As in, Maplewood?” His tone was derisive, making it sound like he looked down on Maplewood for some reason. Just because it was a small down wasn’t a reason to discount it, though. I’d learned that well enough over the past few weeks.

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. This place is great. It’s got everything you could want in a town. Maple everything. Nosy neighbors. All the festivals. Believe me, it’s better than you could imagine.”

“So you’re staying there, then?”

I knew what I said next didn’t need to be the final word on my living situation, but as soon as I started to speak, I knew it was true. “I am. Ellie’s here. And… everything else that matters.” Sam’s here , I thought. And immediately after that, another thought hit me. I’m falling for them. Hard.

“Well, you let me know if you change your mind. Door’s always open for a rock star like you.”

“Thanks, Adam. Same for you. Come down to Maplewood anytime. My door is always open.”

We logged off a few minutes later and I found myself relieved that it was settled. I’d applied for the job, sure but not with the plan to move to the south, away from Ellie and everything else that mattered to me. Every one else.

By lunchtime, I was starving, and I decided to make the walk to Red’s and eat there.

I hadn’t gotten involved in the diner rivalry that the town seemed weirdly obsessed with and besides, I wanted a milkshake.

The day was warm and sunny, with everyone I passed greeting me warmly with a hello or a head nod.

I took a seat at the counter at Red’s, Ingrid, the server, coming over to greet me as I did. It was late and I’d missed the lunch rush altogether, which was nice. I ordered a maple-bacon burger and a milkshake and waited for my food to arrive, and when it did, Ingrid lingered to chat.

“How’re you liking Maplewood so far?”

“It’s great here. Everyone is so welcoming.”

She gave me a knowing smile and raised an eyebrow. “Including Sam?”

I chuckled self-consciously and nodded, ducking my head so she wouldn’t see the color I knew was growing on my cheeks. “Especially Sam.”

“Glad to hear it. I’ve always wanted to see Sam happy. And now they are.”

My breath caught in my throat as I made eye contact again. “What’s changed?”

Her smile was back. “I think you know what’s changed. We’re all glad to see it. Every last one of us. The whole town’s rooting for you, as long as you don’t do anything stupid like run back to the city.”

A little laugh escaped me and I shifted uncomfortably on my stool. “I still live there. I have work there.”

“You’ve been working here for weeks now. I think you can manage.” She paused for a moment and I thought the conversation was over, until she continued. “Listen, can I give you a little advice?” When I nodded, she kept talking. “Don’t ignore what’s right in front of you. Life’s too short.”

I nodded. “It is.”

“One more thing. Sam… they do a lot for this town. Volunteering during festivals, helping people when they need it, and doing it all with a smile. They’ve always wanted someone to call their own. You’d be lucky to have them.”

I swallowed hard, the truth of her words hitting me. “I know I would. I promise to do right by them, as much as I can.”

Ingrid smiled and tapped the countertop. “Enjoy your lunch. Let me know if you need anything else.”

My burger and milkshake were great, but as I ate and walked back to Sam’s, I felt like everyone in town was watching me, waiting to see what my next move was.

As the day wore on, more and more I felt like I needed to make a decision—and also, that the decision had already been made.

I wanted to be with Sam, no matter what that entailed.

I picked Ellie up from school that day, giving Sam a quick nod and a wave, and we went to the park in the town square to let her play for a while. As we walked to the park, Ellie hummed and skipped along. We reached the park a few minutes later and Ellie asked if I’d push her on the swings.

“Of course. Let’s do it.” I followed her to the swing set as she hopped on and began to kick her little legs. “How was school today?” I asked once I’d started pushing.

“Good.” Her tone was so matter of fact, like there was no other option but good. “Adelaide’s daddy is getting married.”

“Oh?”

“Yep. Daddy, are you going to get married?”

I coughed in surprise. “What makes you ask that, Bug?”

She shrugged and kept kicking as she swung. “I don’t know. Adelaide said her daddy had a boyfriend who lives at her house and now they’re getting married. Are you and Mix getting married? You live at their house.”

My chest tightened. It hadn’t occurred to me that she’d interpret it that way. “You have to be in love to get married, Baby.”

“I love Mix. Don’t you?”

“Oh, Bug. Mix and I are friends.” Lying felt wrong, but I knew she wouldn’t be able to understand the scope of the situation.

“Well, I hope you marry them anyway.”

My heart ached at her innocent way of looking at things.

I kept pushing her on the swing, lost in my own thoughts for a while.

What if? I thought. What if I do stay? What’s going to happen?

The truth was right in front of me. I had a little girl who was thriving in Maplewood, a person I really cared for, and I’d just turned down a job offer.

The only thing holding me back was my apartment in Burlington and giving that up wouldn’t be too difficult.

I’d made my decision. I was staying in Maplewood.

Late that evening, after I’d taken Ellie back to Jennifer’s in time for dinner and a movie on the couch, I made my way to Sam’s house again, to find them sitting on the front porch, looking up at the stars, a bottle of beer on the step next to them.

“Hey,” I murmured. “Mind if I sit?”

Sam shook their head and moved their bottle. “Be my guest.”

As I sat, I closed my eyes, taking it all in, inhaling the clean air, listening to the distant chirps of bugs, enjoying the closeness I felt to Sam in the moment. Sam was smiling at me when I opened my eyes and made eye contact. “What are you doing out here?” I asked.

They shrugged and took a sip of their beer. “Just enjoying the evening,” they said, looking back up to the sky.

I couldn’t tear my eyes off of them. My heart was so full and it was all I could do not to blurt it out right then.

Sam, I think I’m falling for you. I shook my head at myself.

Scratch that—I know I am. I wanted to say it.

I wanted to say more. I don’t know where this is going, but I want to follow it. Maybe forever.

Eventually, Sam looked back at me and chuckled. “What’s that look for?”

“Nothing,” I said. “I’m just… I’m glad I’m here.”

Sam’s smile was bright, making my heart skip a beat. “I’m glad you’re here, too.”

I wondered if they knew how I was feeling, if they were feeling the same. I wondered how they’d react when I finally told them and whether it would change things.

A moment later, Sam scooted closer to me, resting their shoulder against mine. I’d never felt more at home in my life.