Page 45 of The Location Shoot
They arrived at the ice cream parlor and marveled at the young man making homemade waffle cones in the store window, some dipped in chocolate, sprinkles, and nuts. “Those cones smell amazing. Mmm, everything looks good,” Ella said, surveying the colorful offerings under the glass counter.
“What’s your favorite flavor?” Finn asked.
“Mint chocolate chip. What’s yours?”
“Chocolate all the way.”
They each got a small cone and sat outside to eat. As they were enjoying their treat, Ella looked at Finn and said, “Do you think it’s strange that we’ve been so intimate and have become so close, but we don’t know little things, like each other’s favorite kind of ice cream?”
“Sure we do. You like mint chocolate chip.”
“You know what I mean,” she said, glancing down. “There’s still so much we don’t know about each other.”
“We’ll learn,” he assured her. “That will be part of the fun. All that other stuff is just details. Like when Albie was talking about falling in love with his wife. I know how we feel about each other. That’s all that matters. It’s everything.”
“You don’t know anything about where I live, what my daily life is like, what my family is like. And I don’t know those things about you.”
“Details,” he replied with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“But what if . . .”
“What, baby?” he asked, reaching for her hand.
“What if you don’t like some of those details?”
“Impossible. Anything that’s a part of you, I will love.”
She smiled.
“We have all the time in the world. The details will sort themselves out. But be warned, I’m sure I have all kinds of annoying habits. You’ll just have to whip me into shape.”
She giggled, letting go of the heaviness. They finished their treats in comfortable silence and continued meandering down rambling side streets. As they turned onto the main drag, a man stepped out from an art gallery, stopped in his tracks, and said, “Gabriella,” his eyes wide with surprise.
“Oh my God,” Ella muttered. She dropped Finn’s hand, ran to the man, and threw her arms around him. She clasped him tightly, like she was never going to let go. When they eventually parted, she said, “I never got to thank you.”
“There’s no need,” he replied. “I’m so sorry about what happened. It’s good to see you looking well.”
She smiled and stood for a moment, just staring at him. Remembering Finn, she said, “Oh, uh, this is my friend Finn.” She paused. “I’m sorry, I just realized I never knew your name.”
“Todd,” he said.
“Finn, this is Todd.”
“Nice to meet you,” Finn said, extending his hand.
“Likewise. I’m a big fan,” Todd replied.
“Thank you.”
“Well, this is such a strange place to bump into you. What brings you here?” Ella asked.
“My partner’s family is Swedish. We’re here to visit them. I’d love to introduce you, but he’s in there haggling over the price of a painting.”
Ella smiled. “Well, it was nice to see you again.”
“You too.”
“Todd,” she said. “Thank you so much.”
