Page 26 of Scoop Me Up (Love in Maplewood #7)
Gabe
I took Ellie to breakfast at Red’s the next morning with the intention of giving Jennifer a break to rest and recover. As we ate our pancakes, Ellie chattered on and on about her day with Sam and how much they’d let her help.
“They taught me how to fill the machine with fruit and cream. That starts the ice cream. And then it mixes and mixes and mixes it. It was so much fun. Can we go again?”
“Of course we can. I think Mix is stuck with us for a little while longer. At least until the end of summer.”
Ellie nodded solemnly and took a bite of pancake.
A few moments later, she looked at me with her big eyes.
The splash of freckles across her face had grown darker in the summer sun and for a moment, I got a flash of what she would look like when she grew up.
“Can Mix be in our family from now on? I like them.”
“Aw, Bug. I know you do. But that’s not really how it works, remember?”
“Mix says all families look different and some families are chosen.”
I hesitated, wanting to choose my words carefully.
“That’s true.” My mind raced. How was I going to explain this without telling her anything serious?
“Listen. Mix will always be a part of your life. They live right here in Maplewood, just like you. You’ll see them at the ice cream shop and everywhere else. Okay?”
She frowned, clearly not agreeing, but she nodded. “Fine.”
“Hey, do you want to go by the shop today when we finish breakfast? I think they’re finishing the painting today. Maybe we could help.”
“Yes!” She bounced in her seat and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Good.”
As Ellie finished her pancakes, Mickey came by to take my payment. “How’s Sam?” he asked as I handed him the card.
I gave him a grin. “Sam’s good. The shop is almost done. Grand opening is in two weeks.”
Mickey nodded. “I’m glad. Sounds like you’ve both found your way here in Maplewood.”
I furrowed my brow. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You’ve settled in pretty well, haven’t you?”
“I’m only here for a few more weeks.”
Mickey raised his eyebrows. “Could’ve fooled me.”
His words stuck with me for a long time as Ellie and I made our way to Scoops on Maple.
When we arrived, we found Luke’s crew doing the last of the painting, putting final coats on the walls.
They welcomed Ellie and offered to let her help, and she delightedly scampered off to learn how to use a paint roller.
I didn’t see Sam at first, so I headed to the kitchen to see if they were back there working instead, and spotted them in the small office, working on their laptop.
“Hey there,” I murmured, leaning against the doorframe.
Sam looked up and gave me a wide smile, dark eyes sparkling. “How was breakfast with Ellie?”
From the other room, I heard her giggle at something Luke said to her. “It was great. I’m sorry you weren’t able to join us.” I looked around to be sure we were alone before stepping into the office and dipping down to press a quick kiss to Sam’s lips.
Their cheeks colored, turning slightly pink. “What was that about?”
I shrugged. “Just felt like it.” When Sam didn’t respond, I gestured to the laptop. “What are you working on?”
“Finances,” they said, a heaviness in their tone. “I think I’m going to move out of my house.”
I put my hand on Sam’s shoulder. “No luck finding an investor?”
They shook their head. “Just the building’s new owner. Don’t get me wrong—without their help, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this, but… it’s going to take more than just renovations and my remaining savings to keep the shop afloat until I start getting regular business.”
I bit my bottom lip, thinking hard about what they said. “So you’d live…?” I pointed to the ceiling.
Sam nodded. “In the apartment upstairs. It seems like a smart decision. I just hate to move. I really like my house. But sacrifices have to be made, you know?”
Putting a hand on their shoulder, I squeezed gently. “Are there any other options?”
With a shrug, they shook their head again. “I don’t think there are. At least, not at this point.”
“I—” I started to speak, but Ellie’s shouting cut me off.
“Daddy!” Ellie called from the front. “Mix! Come see!”
Sam stood and followed the sound of Ellie’s voice out to the main entrance. Ellie was standing in front of the freshly painted wall, beaming like the sun.
“What’s up, Bug?” Sam asked. My stomach did a somersault at the sound of them using her nickname, the one Jennifer and I had used since she was a baby. It didn’t sound wrong coming from them. It sounded natural.
“We’re finished painting!” Ellie couldn’t have looked prouder.
Luke nodded and stood up from where he’d been putting the lid on a five-gallon bucket of paint. “We’re all finished. That was the last of the painting.”
“Wow. What’s next?” I looked around, heart warm at the thought that was almost done.
“We’re going to hang the signs and decor. Furniture should be here in a day or two. That’s pretty much it. You’ll just need inspections so the town can approve of everything and you’re golden.”
“Ooh, can I make a sign?” Ellie asked. “Please?”
Sam bent down to look her in the eye. “What would your sign say?”
“I want to show the flavors we’re going to have.”
We? “Ellie, it’s not really our —”
“Of course you can make a sign,” Sam said. “I think a future flavors poster would look really good in the front window, don’t you?”
She nodded sincerely. “Can I have some poster board and markers?”
“I’ll take you to the Wild Palette, okay?”
“Okay,” she said. “Can we go now?”
I laughed a little. I missed that enthusiasm, the feeling of wanting to do something creative and not wanting to wait. “Of course we can.”
An hour later, Ellie was working on her poster, Sam was back to work in the office, and I was lingering at the doorway to the office, hoping to distract Sam from their work, maybe even distract them enough that we could get away with a covert make-out session while Ellie worked.
Even with us living together, it felt like I couldn’t get enough of Sam.
I wanted to be around them all the time.
Ellie worked on her poster, and as I watched, the future became more and more clear. I could see it like I was living in a dream.
A few minutes later, Ellie looked up, triumphantly. “Daddy! Mix! Look at my poster!”
In front of her was a piece of posterboard with a list of ice cream flavors.
Sam had given her a list to include. Among others, there was Mint to Be, Vermont Velvet, and the s’mores flavor Sam had brought to dinner that night, which they had called S’more Than Friends, blushing furiously as they’d written it down for Ellie.
We smiled and nodded, praising Ellie’s hard work. She’d drawn a star next to Sam’s favorite—the tamarind maple one from the contest—and next to S’more Than Friends, she’d written “Daddy’s favorite.”
My face heated, my stomach fluttering as I noticed it. “Ellie, what’s this?”
“That’s the one Mix brought to our house. You said you thought it was the best ice cream ever, remember?”
My face burned hotter. “I guess you’re right. I did say that.” When I glanced at Sam, they were smirking, gaze soft and fond. I cleared my throat after a moment. “Hey, Bug, we should probably get going.”
Ellie whined a little. “But, Daddy…”
“I know, I know. But it’s getting late, and you’ll need dinner and a bath soon. Plus, we should go check on your mom. Make sure she’s doing okay. Anyway, I’m sure Mix has plenty to do around here without us being in their hair.”
Sam opened their mouth, probably to protest, but closed it again when I made eye contact, pleading with them to go along with it. They nodded. “Lots to do, always. I have to call my attorney and get some investment papers drawn up.”
Ellie stomped one foot and sighed. “Okay. But can we come back tomorrow? And the day after? And the day after that? I love it here. I never want to leave.”
Me too, kiddo, I thought, my chest aching. Me too . Instead, I smiled and ruffled her hair. “Of course, Bug. We’ll be back every day until the opening, okay? Unless Mix doesn’t want us around, that is.” I winked and Sam laughed.
They leaned forward in their chair and looked directly at Ellie. “You’re always welcome here. Anytime. No matter what.” Their tone was sincere and Ellie nodded.
After a moment, Ellie surged forward and threw her arms around Sam in a tight hug. “Thank you, Mix. I love you.”
Sam hugged her back and chuckled softly. “I love you too.” They glanced up at me a second later and something electric passed between us as we made eye contact.
I nodded slowly. “All right, El. Time to get going.”
She released Sam. “Okay. Bye, Mix. See you tomorrow.”
I nodded at Sam and gave a little wave, my mind lingering on the look Sam had given me. It was time. I knew it. I couldn’t hold back any longer. I just needed to find the exact right time to tell them how I felt.