Page 60 of Scoop Me Up
He gave me a bright smile. “Thanks. Have you had a chance to think about paint samples?”
“I just left the hardware store. They have my paint and tile picks on file for you.”
Luke raised his hand and fist-bumped me. “Awesome. We were just looking at the schedule, and everything should be done and ready for you to open the last week of August.”
I raised my eyebrows. “That’s amazing. Are you sure?”
“Positive. But I’ll let you know if the timeline changes for any reason.”
“I really appreciate how quickly you guys are working to get everything together for me.”
He shrugged. “It’s not a big deal.”
“When will I be able to get into the kitchen and start making ice cream?”
He thought about it for a few seconds. “Kitchen equipment will be delivered next week, so… week after next. Does that sound okay?”
“You’re kidding.” When he shook his head, I let out a low whistle. “You’re a miracle worker. Listen, I’m going to let you get back to work, but don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
As we’d been talking, my phone had started to vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out to see a text from Cooper asking if I wanted to meet him at the pub in a few, so I headed in that direction.
When I got to the pub, I quickly spotted Cooper sitting on a stool at the bar, nursing a bottle of beer. I took the stool next to him, elbowing him gently to get his attention.
Coop looked at me, eyes bright, a mischievous smile on his face. “I hear you’re leaving the school,” he said with a wink.
I groaned and rolled my eyes. “You and everyone else. Damn Ms. Finch.”
He shrugged. “How’s Gabe?”
My face burned with heat at the mention of Gabe. I ducked my head, hoping Cooper wouldn’t notice, but he caught on immediately.
“Oh my God. Tell me everything.”
I swallowed hard, not sure I wanted to tell himeverything.“We… might have hooked up,” I mumbled, afraid that someone might overhear. Conall, the bartender, was known for being as solid as a safe when it came to keeping secrets, but that didn’t mean everyone else in the pub would be.
“Seriously? That’s fucking awesome.”
“Don’t tell anyone, okay? I’m not sure where things stand and I don’t want it getting out sooner than it has to.”
Cooper took a sip of his drink and sighed. “You know you can trust me. But… why don’t you look more excited?”
I shrugged and glanced around to ensure our privacy. “It’s hard, you know? He thought he was straight before he met me. Hell, he mightstillthink he’s straight. I haven’t asked. And what if things go south? It’s… too perfect.”
“I get it,” Cooper said with a nod. “I do. But… don’t run away just because you’re scared. Do you like him?”
“It’s more than that, Cooper. I think I might be falling inlovewith him.”
He was quiet for a few moments, sipping his drink again before speaking. “It’s okay to want to be happy, you know. It’s okay to trust him. You’re allowed to fall in love.”
With a thoughtful nod, I let out a slow breath. “But…”
“No,” Cooper said, holding up a hand to stop me. “Don’t do that to yourself. It’s okay to take the leap, Sam. Look at what you’ve done with the ice cream shop. You can do that with your personal life, too.” I opened my mouth to protest and he heldup a hand. “You are. And quit worrying about what happens if it ends. Start asking yourself, what will happen if I let fear drive him away?”
The thought made a knot grow in my stomach, hard and tight. Cooper was right. I had to trust. To let go of the fear and to take the good as it came into my life. I had to. If I didn’t, I was risking losing too much.
I felt better as we sat there, drinking and laughing over whatever shenanigans Cooper had gotten into recently, when another text came my way. I glanced at my phone. It was Gabe.
