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

“We can definitely do some stuff that’s not at your house,” Alexi said. “My schedule is a little sporadic, but I’ve got Mondays and Thursdays off and I work mornings on Tuesdays and Fridays so we could do something in the evening those days.”


“I’m free pretty much all the time, unless I’m crunching to meet a deadline,” Eli said. “How about we get lunch on Thursday? My treat? I know this great ice cream parlor…” His grin was audible.


Alexi laughed. “I really wouldn’t mind if we went to Duckworth’s for a date. But you’ve seen my Foodspotting page. Anything else there that interests you?”


“I was thinking maybe we could go somewhere you haven’t Spotted anything yet. Originally, I wanted to Spot something no one else had on our date, but now that I know which account is yours and what’s already on it…whaddaya think?”


Chapter 35