Page 83 of Scoop Me Up
“Swirled Away. It’s a salted caramel swirl in a sweet cream base.”
I nodded once. “Got it.”
Eventually the line died down and soon there was just a trickle of customers coming in and out. It seemed like the entire town of Maplewood had come out to support Sam’s new shop, and even people from nearby towns had stopped in.
The reporter came back in toward the end of the day, a camera around his neck. “Can I get a few pictures for the article?”
Sam nodded and did their thing while the reporter took the pictures they needed.
“One last one? Can I get you to stand in front of the shop?”
“Of course,” Sam said. “Can you handle the customers for a few minutes?”
“Actually, I’d like to show the whole team if that’s a possibility.”
Cooper, Sam and I made our way to the sidewalk, where Jennifer was watching Ellie draw with chalk.
As we gathered in front, Sam cleared their throat. “If it’s going to be the team, it’s going to be all of us. Jennifer, you and Ellie need to get in this picture too.”
“Oh, that’s okay,” Jennifer protested. “We’ll stay to the side.”
“Absolutely not. He said he wants the whole team. You count,” Sam said. My heart felt too big for my chest, warmth spreading through me as Sam included the two of them.
“Alright, alright. Ellie, come on. Let’s get our picture taken.”
We all lined up in front of the shop while the reporter took a few more pictures. Before he left, he promised to send Sam a copy of the article to read over and some of the photos.
Cooper spoke up once the reporter was gone. “Let me get one for you on my phone. Just the family.” Sam frowned and started to step aside.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I pulled Sam toward me so they were back in the frame. “You’re family now too, whether you like it or not.” We posed for a few more photos before Cooper was satisfied with his work and we all returned to our posts.
After the shop closed for the night, Jennifer hugged Sam. “Thank you for including us,” she said. “I’m glad you’re a part of our family now.”
They looked at their feet for a moment, rubbing the back of their neck. “It’s… you’re okay with it?”
She laughed. “Of course I am. I couldn’t be happier for you two.” A moment later she turned to Ellie. “Let’s get you home, Bug.”
Ellie yawned, but her face turned down into a pout. “Do we have to?”
“It’s past bedtime. Time to go.”
Reluctantly, Ellie followed her mom out. Cooper stood up from where he’d been resting. “That’s my cue. I’m their ride. Great job today, Sam.”
A few minutes later, that was that. We were alone in the shop, the sun had set, and it was quiet once again. I pulled my phone out and opened the music app, pressing play on a slow, romantic song before reaching for Sam, who had been wiping down the counter.
They laughed and put their dish rag down. “What are you doing?”
“Enjoying myself.” I pulled Sam to me, holding them close, and started to slow dance with them, right there in the middle of the shop among the borrowed tables and chairs. The music played, the singer crooning about love as we held each other and swayed to the music.
“I love you,” I murmured to Sam, my throat thick with emotion.
Sam held me tighter. “I love you.”
I hesitated before speaking again. “I have a confession,” I blurted.
They froze in place. “What’s wrong?”
I didn’t know where to begin or how to explain to Sam that I’d been hiding a major secret. “I wanted to talk to you about the building’s new owner.”
