Page 81 of Scoop Me Up
“I just had the best sex of my life with the person I’m in love with, in the bed that we will be sharing as partners.”
“Okay, fair.”
“Are you telling me youhavebeen better?” he teased.
I shoved Gabe’s shoulder gently. “Definitely not. I’m living my dream life. What’s not to love?” The distant rumble of thunder drew my focus back to the world around us. “We’d better get going. Long day tomorrow.”
Gabe laughed and kissed my shoulder once again. “If we have to.”
“Hey. I’ll make you a promise.” When Gabe’s eyebrows rose, I kept talking. “What if I tell you that we can try that again as soon as we get back to the house?”
“I’d say we better leave right now, then.”
We both laughed and climbed out of bed. As Gabe dressed, I made my way into the bathroom and tried to clean up the sticky mess on my chest. When I came out of the bathroom, I found Gabe standing at one of the windows looking out onto downtown Maplewood.
“This place is beautiful, you know.”
I nodded. “I know. I’ve lived here all my life and sometimes I take it for granted. I love it here, though. I hope you will, too.”
He turned to me, pulling me into his arms. “As long as you’re here, how could I not?”
Chapter 32
Gabe
Early the next morning, I found Sam still in their pajamas in the kitchen looking harried and scattered. They had half of the kitchen cabinets open, the coffee machine was on the counter but unplugged while Sam stared at it fruitlessly, and water was running in the sink. I’d never seen them like that.
“Hey.”
Sam’s gaze snapped up from the coffee maker to meet mine. “What’s wrong?”
I laughed a little. “You look like you don’t know whether you’re coming or going. Is everything okay?” When they frowned, I gestured at the coffee maker. “It’s not plugged in.”
“I guess that explains why it wasn’t lighting up.” They shook their head and chuckled. “Oops.”
I moved around the kitchen, closing cabinets and turning off the running water while Sam pushed the plug into the outlet and successfully started the coffee brewing. Once everything was settled, I pulled Sam to me and wrapped my arms around them.
“Everything’s going to be great.”
“But—”
I kissed them quickly. “It will be. Trust me.”
Sam sighed deeply and sank into the hug, resting their head on my shoulder. “I’m just so nervous.”
“I know. But you’ve got my help. And Ellie. And the whole town loves and supports you. It’s all going to be okay.” They nodded and released me, so I stepped back. “Now, go get dressed. I’ll finish the coffee. You even have time for a shower, if you want.”
A little while later, Sam padded into the kitchen, barefoot, hair damp from their shower, and sank into a chair at the table. “Thank you. I feel better already.”
“Good,” I said with a grin, setting their coffee cup in front of them.
They took it gratefully and sipped, groaning a little in satisfaction as they put the cup back down. “I guess we should get going.”
I kissed them quickly on the head. “Finish your coffee first.”
An hour later, Sam and I got into their car and headed into town. They had wanted to walk, as usual, but I suggested a drive might be easier after a long day than walking so many blocks home. As we approached the shop, I spotted several townspeople milling around.
Sam’s brow dipped in confusion. “What’s this?” The front of the shop was decorated, streamers hanging above the windows, balloons swaying in the gentle summer breeze. We parked and got out of the car and as we did, it became evident that the sidewalk had been chalked up as well. Images of ice cream cones, stars, and other decorative elements dotted the sidewalk in front of the store, stretching to the end of the block. “What is this?” Sam repeated.
