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

Alexi lay there, eyes still shut, taking deep breaths to clear the tingles out of their nerves. There were so many. And, somewhat to their dismay, they were a little aroused. The notification noise for a new message snapped them out of their trance. They flexed their feet then sat up to see what it was.


Alexi rested their fingers on the keys, thoughts swirling in their head. Praise for the skill of Eli’s editing. Admiration for his voice. Pleas for him to send more as soon as he had anything he felt like sharing. Preemptive apologies if any of their compliments felt like unsolicited come-ons. It’s great! they wrote.


:) Eli wrote back, followed by, Is the chime too much?


Chapter 18