Page 29 of Scoop Me Up (Love in Maplewood #7)

Sam

When I woke the next morning, memories of what we’d done the night before came flooding back to me. I could hardly believe what had happened between us, that we’d slept together, we’d taken that step. It felt like a big deal.

Gabe was still sound asleep and I took a few moments to watch him.

My heart soared and I was in deep. Feeling the need to move, I decided to get up and shower.

Not wanting to wake Gabe, I eased out of bed.

A few minutes later, I was standing under the hot spray of my shower, letting the water soothe the tension in my neck and shoulders.

As I showered, I realized I wanted—needed—to tell Cooper everything, to get my best friend’s perspective on it all.

I mentally ran through what I wanted to say to Cooper, imagining a dozen different scenarios as I showered.

I worried about how he’d react. Cooper had been nothing but supportive of me as long as I’d known him, but I’d never dated a straight guy before, either.

He was also fiercely protective of me, and I knew Cooper would fight to keep me safe.

Eventually the water began to cool down, a sign that it was beyond time to get out of the shower.

Back in my bedroom, I quickly—and quietly—found something to wear.

By the time I was dressed, I was astounded that Gabe was still asleep, but decided to take advantage of the quiet to slip out of the house unnoticed and walk into town.

As I walked, I texted him quickly to let him know I’d gone out for breakfast, so he didn’t worry too much when he woke to find me gone.

Once I made it to Special Blend, I texted Cooper to see if he wanted to join me.

I needed company so my mind didn’t spend too much time ruminating, and I needed my best friend to help me come back down to Earth.

Cooper immediately texted back, letting me know he was two steps ahead of me—he’d happened to be at Special Blend, had already ordered coffee, and was at a table near the front window.

I walked in and found Cooper immediately, a cup of coffee in front of him, along with a cinnamon roll that was half-eaten.

He grinned as he spotted me and waved me over.

I held up one finger to let him know I needed a moment, before going to the counter to order a cup of coffee and a muffin.

Then, with a sigh, I collapsed into a chair across from Cooper.

Cooper’s eyebrows rose, likely surprised by my dramatic entrance. “What’s gotten into you?”

Gabe , I thought, suppressing a smirk. Instead, I leaned forward. “I need your advice.”

“Boy trouble?”

I couldn’t stop my laughter. “You got me.” After glancing around to be sure nobody was listening to us, I dropped my volume so only he could hear. “We slept together last night.”

“Seriously? That’s awesome.” Cooper didn’t share my same concern for people hearing, and I shushed him. He hesitated before nodding. “How are you feeling about it?”

Trust Cooper to cut right to the heart of things. I trained my gaze on the table for a long moment before looking back up at Coop. “I think I’m falling for him.”

Cooper’s smile was soft and kind. “That’s not news, friend.”

“Well, it is to me.”

He shook his head, smile widening. “Everyone in this entire town can tell. You’re both in deep.”

“It’s that obvious?”

“Afraid so. I can’t tell you how many people have asked me about whether you two had woken up and seen what’s right in front of you just this week. ”

“You have?”

He ticked them off on his fingers. “The mayor. Sage. Mickey. The crew from D-and-D nights. Probably more. I can’t keep track of them all.”

My cheeks blazed with heat at the thought that half the town knew my feelings before I did. I didn’t realize we were that obvious. I was quiet for a bit, biting my bottom lip as I thought about what to say next. “What if he doesn’t want to stay? What if he wants to go back to Burlington?”

Cooper sipped his coffee, silent for a moment. “That’s not going to happen.”

“How can you be sure?”

He put his cup down. “Listen to me. That man is over the moon about you. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he’s staying. And he’s doing it for you. Well, and Ellie.”

I hadn’t thought about how this all impacted her and a cold sensation washed over me as I let it sink in. “Ellie. What if he doesn’t want to do this because of her? It might confuse her, right?”

Cooper gave me a stern look. “First of all, there’s nothing confusing about being in love. Second, her mom has dated people, so why wouldn’t Gabe? Besides, Ellie adores you. There’s no chance of this being an issue.”

His words caught up to me before I could formulate a protest. “Wait—in love?”

Cooper shrugged. “You know you are. And he’s not going anywhere. He’s here for you. He wants to be with you. Everyone knows it. It’s not going to be a problem with Ellie or Jennifer or anyone in town.”

Was I in love? I wasn’t ready to make that decision yet. Instead, I poked holes in Cooper’s assertion. “Unless we break up.”

He closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. “You’re putting the cart before the horse a little, don’t you think?”

My breath caught in my chest as overwhelm threatened me. “What if—” Before I could carry out that thought, someone called my name. I looked up to find Jennifer, of all people, her leg in a brace from hip to ankle, crutches supporting her.

“Hi there. I don’t mean to be presumptuous but can I join you two? There aren’t a lot of free seats and I need space for this stupid brace and these crutches.”

My heart raced, pounding hard in my throat, worrying that she’d heard our conversation or wanted to confront me about my relationship with Gabe. Cooper, noticing my panic, took over and pulled out a seat for her. “Be our guest.”

We exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes, Jennifer informing us that, to her relief, Ellie had been at a sleepover, giving her a little time to be out and about.

Eventually, the conversation lulled. I opened my mouth to speak, but what was I going to say?

I’m sleeping with your ex and I might be in love with him. Are you okay with that?

Jennifer cleared her throat. “Sam, can I be candid about something?”

My stomach flipped and my body went cold, breath catching in my throat. “Yeah, of course.”

“Where do things stand between Gabe and you?”

“I don’t know. We haven’t talked about it.”

Her soft laughter caught me by surprise.

“I don’t know why I expected anything else.

Gabe isn’t good at talking about his feelings.

” She leaned forward and looked directly at me.

“Let me tell you something. He really cares about you. I can’t remember the last time I saw him this happy in a relationship.

It’s been years. Don’t let him panic and chicken out on talking it over, okay?

Sometimes he needs a nudge in the right direction before he can gather the courage—and common sense—to say what needs to be said. ”

“You… don’t mind?”

Jennifer reached over and put a hand on mine.

“I want him to be happy. You make him happy. That’s all that matters.

We’ll figure out the rest together. As a team.

” She paused for a moment before continuing.

“He turned that job down for a reason and I don’t think for one second that it was only about Ellie. I know he doesn’t want to lose you.”

I furrowed my brow. “Job?”

“Didn’t you know?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know anything about a job.”

Jennifer tightened her lips, pinching them together in a straight line.

A second later, she grimaced. “I’m sorry.

I probably shouldn’t have said anything then.

But… he did. He turned down a major job offer that would’ve put him in another state.

He didn’t want to get too far away from the things that matter most to him. ”

My chest squeezed and my breathing tightened. “Ellie.”

“And you. He didn’t say it in so many words, but I can tell.”

The need to take action slammed into me and I stood, jostling the table. I needed to talk to Gabe. Right away. “I have to go.”

They both laughed and looked at each other. Cooper was the first to speak. “Go.”

Jennifer nodded her encouragement, a wide smile on her face. “Good luck.”

I ducked out of the coffee shop and speed-walked home. Hurrying inside, I found Gabe at the kitchen table, staring at his laptop, a cup of coffee next to him.

He glanced up at me, his face brightening when we made eye contact. “You’re back.”

I nodded. “I’m back. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to wake you.”

“It’s fine. I got your text. I’ve just been… clearing some things up.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about the job offer?” I blurted.

Gabe’s expression slid into confusion, with a frown and a furrowed brow. “What?”

“I ran into Jennifer this morning at Special Blend.”

His face fell and he nodded once. “Yeah.”

“She told me you turned down a job offer. A big one that would've taken you out of state.”

A moment passed and he nodded again. “That’s true.”

My knees wobbled and my stomach fluttered as I sank into a chair next to him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Gabe ran his hands through his auburn hair and groaned. “I didn’t want you to feel pressured about our… relationship. Whatever this is between us. I didn’t want it to feel like you couldn’t say no, or you had some obligation to stay with me because I’d turned it down.”

I bit my lower lip and hesitated for a moment, holding eye contact with him for several moments before speaking. “Remember when you said you’re invested in me? In us?” When he nodded, I continued. “Is that what you meant?”

“It is,” he said quietly.

My stomach flipped again and heat washed over me.

I didn’t know what else to say. As far as I knew, he hadn’t made any concrete moves to stay in Maplewood, even though I desperately wanted him to.

“Are you staying in Maplewood, then?” When he didn’t say anything immediately, my mind began to race.

“Actually, don’t answer that,” I said quietly.

“I don't know if I can handle it if you say you’re leaving after all.”

“Sam, I’m staying,” he murmured.

“You are?”

Gabe nodded. “It’s going to take a little while to wrap everything up, but I want to stay in Maplewood. I’m going to ask Miles to help me find a place to live. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Really?” My throat tightened again and tears stung at my eyes. “You’re sure?”

“So sure. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this sure.” He paused for a moment. “But only if you want me to. If you don’t, I’ll get out of your hair for good. I promise.”

“Of course I want you to stay.”

He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat, and his breath hitched before he spoke again. “Thank you.”

A giddy laugh bubbled out of me. “You’re staying. Officially.”

Gabe reached over and pulled me to him, kissing me gently. “I’m staying. Officially.”