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

Pat finished another bite of hoagie and continued. “So, here’s the thing, you do like him enough to date him, yeah?”


“But you’re afraid to tell him and you’re, I’m guessing, even more afraid of having to tell your dad, even though your dad swears he’s cool with you being queer.”


“And if Eli did want to ask you out and he hasn’t yet, he’s probably afraid you’re going to reject him again.”


“I didn’t reject him the first time,” Alexi said with a protesting pout. “I just…didn’t realize he meant me, if he did mean me, and accidentally cockblocked myself by being too fucking stupid.” They growled and hung their head. “And there’s the other thing. Is it really cockblocking if I’m not in this for sex?”


Chapter 26