Tourist season at Lake Wallenpaupack means a break in the monotony of Alexi’s life. They’ve been secretly advertising the ice cream parlor they work at through the Foodspotting app, hoping that will bring even more customers. One such customer is Eli, a recent addition to the area with a bright and open disposition that Alexi is drawn to immediately. And since Eli is demisexual, Alexi welcomes him into their friend group of other queer twenty-somethings.<br><br>The more Alexi gets to know Eli, the more smitten they are. If only they didn’t have crippling self-esteem issues, problems at home with their dad, and enough emotional baggage to fill a freight train. They’re desperate to get out of that rut so they can have space in their heart for someone like Eli. After years of playing a passive role, making the first steps towards change might prove too much for them.

#IceCreamSundae

“I’ll let you ring this one up,” Alexi told Ophelia. “Let me know if you need help with anything. The cone pieces are free, no need to enter that or anything. There isn’t even a button for it.” With that settled, Alexi was finally able to give full attention to the new customer. “Hello, thank you for your patience. What can I help you with today?”


The customer was young, not a teenager but not older than Alexi, with dark blond hair that was damp and frizzy from the weather. They pulled their hair into a short ponytail and pushed up the glasses that framed their hazel brown eyes as they scanned the list of flavor and options on the wall behind Alexi. “Okay, well, truth be told I came here because I saw your BanaNut sundae on Foodspotting, and I’d already Wanted a couple of your other sundaes that I saw on there, but…Wow, now that I’m here I don’t know what I want.”


Chapter 5