Page 68 of Scoop Me Up
“Ooh, canImake 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 reallyour—”
“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, itfelt 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 alongwith 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.
Chapter 27
Sam
