Page 15 of Scoop Me Up
“As a reminder, the winner of this year’s ice cream flavor creation competition will receive a prize of five thousand dollars in grant funding—the first time we’ve ever offered a cash prize—as well as the chance to have their flavor sold at Special Blend, Maplewood’s very own coffee shop.” The crowd cheered and the emcee allowed it for a moment before settling them again. “In third place… Blueberry Pecan Crunch. Second place goes to… Red, White, and Blueberry. And finally, the winner is…”
My heart raced as worry abruptly hit me. What if Samdidn’twin, and I’d spent all that time getting them excited about it? I held my breath, and next to me, Sam stilled.
“The fig, walnut, tamarind, and maple ice cream, also known as Granny’s Delight, brought to us by Sam Thatcher!”
The crowd burst into applause once again as people turned toward Sam to congratulate them. Sam’s eyes were wide, mouth slightly open in surprise. I elbowed them gently in the side.
“See?” I said. “I knew you’d do it.”
Sam blinked a few times before turning to me and wrapping their arms around me in a bear hug. I hesitated just a second before hugging them back, a weird heat washing over me as we embraced.
“Daddy!” Ellie’s voice cut through the air and I pulled away from Sam to look for her. The second I spotted her, I crouched and held my arms out to her.
She flew into my arms, nearly knocking me off-balance. “Did you hear? We got second place!”
I picked her up and squeezed her tight. “I did hear. I’m so proud of us.” After another second, I put Ellie back on solid ground.
She turned to Sam and hugged them, too. “Mix, you won!”
Sam didn’t hesitate to wrap her up in their arms and for a second, my chest tightened again. There was something about seeing how much Sam cared for Ellie that lifted me up. Sam was probably a really good teacher.
A moment later, the sky burst with a riot of color, noise exploding around us. The fireworks had begun. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Sam’s friend from earlier… Cooper? He nodded at me, a grin on his face, and I waved back before turning my attention to the fireworks, Sam, and Ellie, peace settling over me.
Chapter 7
Sam
Five thousand dollars. I could hardly believe it. I’d won the grant—five thousand dollars from the town. Money for my ice cream shop. I hadn’t expected to win this year.
Not anymore.
Between the news of my win and the hug Gabe had wrapped me in, I was walking on air as I headed home after the fireworks.
Once I was home, I checked my phone and saw I’d missed a text from Cooper.
Cooper: Congratulations! I knew you could do it. What’s your plan now?
Sam: I guess I need to call a real estate agent and start scouting for a place.
Cooper: Moving fast, huh? You sure you’re ready for that?
Sam: I’ve never been more ready in my life.
Cooper: And how does Gabe feel?
I frowned at my phone. Why would Gabe have opinions on my ice cream shop?
Cooper: I mean, you just met. Moving in together is a big step.
I rolled my eyes.
Sam: I’m not moving in with Gabe. I’m talking about opening an ice cream shop.
Cooper: Oh, I know.
His text was accompanied by a winking emoji.
Cooper: You’ll be moving in with him soon enough.
