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

“If you don’t mind me asking,” Eli said, “how do you all identify?”


“Queer in both gender and sexuality, but technically more genderfluid,” said Alexi.


Quinn shrugged. “Just gay, I guess.”


Eli nodded. “And you mentioned Viv is…?”


“Also genderqueer and falls for whoever she falls for,” Pat said. “So…pan? She’s not really a flag person so I’ve never seen her declare her colors as either bi or pan or whatever.”


“The other one of us who isn’t here today because he’s at work is Chris,” Beth said. “He’s gay too. Not out to everyone yet because he’s also got conservatives in the family, but he gets to be himself around us.”


Chapter 8