Page 16 of Abbott’s Lost Spoon

The food was not oversold. It was as good as it smelled and after the server cleared away the plates, he asked if we wanted any dessert.

“Can you tell us the choices?” I asked.

“Here is the dessert menu.” He presented us with a single page listing various cakes, pastries and, of course, the gelato. “I’ll give you a moment.”

“What do you think, Abbott?”

“I didn’t bring my spoon so maybe cake?”

“Or”—I pulled out the box and offered it to him—“you might like to give this a try?”

He took it, tilting his head in the most adorable way as he opened the box. “How did you get hold of my spoon again? Did I leave it…no, I know I had it at home…”

“If you would like to give it a try, we can order the gelato. You’d be doing me a big favor because I am considering carrying a gelato or two, and I’m taste testing to see if it would be a good thing for the shop.”

“Wait…where did you get the spoon?”

“I found it online and ordered six of them.”

“You did that for me?” He was holding the spoon and turning it over and over. “So I could have the ice cream? I mean gelato?”

“I have to own up to something. When I found your spoon among the dishes that came back after the party, I left it on the counter overnight, and the next morning, I thought I’d lost it.”

“No. You didn’t.”

“In fact, no. My employee just tucked it underneath to keep it safe, but that was what drove me to see if I could find a source online.”

“Thank you so much.”

“I didn’t want to let you down.

“I don’t think you could. Now, do we have to choose between the desserts?”

In the end, we tried three flavors of gelato, and also the cake. The spoon did the trick, and we agreed I should try at least one gelato for my customers.

The evening went way too fast, and when I walked him to his door, instead of going inside, he hesitated. “Would you like to come in?”

“Yes.” I followed him into the living area. “I can stay awhile.”

He turned suddenly, bumping into me. “Can you stay all night?”

I studied his face, wanting to be sure I understood. “Abbott, do you mean…”

He gave me a quick kiss. “I mean, stay in my bed. Make love to me?”

I kissed him back. “I’d be honored.”

Abbott showed me to his room and flicked on the bedside lamp. “It’s not a very big bed.”

“If we do this right, we won’t need it to be.”

Conversation ended then, for the most part, replaced by kisses and soft sighs as we undressed each other and lay down together. His skin was warm under my hands, and my lips.

“I didn’t bring anything, Abbott. I didn’t know you’d invite me in.”

“I knew.” He rolled over and opened the bedside table drawer. “It’s all in there. I just hoped you’d agree.”

“How could I have said no when it’s something I want so much too.” I reached into the drawer and found a box holding a new tube of lube and a strip of condoms. “You are prepared.”