Page 64 of Always Be Mine
“Who? Mya?”
Charli nodded.
“She does.” He shrugged. “I think it’s because she’s so focused on her work. I tried to introduce her to a few locals, but she didn’t seem interested.”
“Maybe she’s just shy?”
He shrugged. “She’s definitely a perfectionist. She’s been working on things for weeks now without anything to put in those shiny new display cases. I’m afraid I may have to push the issue soon.”
It was the last thing he wanted to do, but at the same time, busy season was only a few weeks away and he wanted the new chocolate products to be well established before then. “Hey, I know you’re not drinking coffee, but maybe an ice cream on this beautiful spring day? On the house?”
“It’s a little early for ice cream, don’t you think?”
“Hey.” He pretended to be offended. “That’s my business you’re talking about. It’s never too early for ice cream.”
Charli laughed and started toward the Sugar Shack with him. “I don’t think this baby likes sugar.” She rubbed her tummy. “Do you have any sugar-free options?”
“You’re kidding, right? It’s ice cream, Charli. Of course I don’t have any sugar-free options.”
Judging by the look on her face, she most certainly wasn’t kidding. “I assume that means you don’t have any lactose-free choices?”
He held the door of the shop open for her. “Like I said, it’s ice cream. Sugar and lactose are kind of part of it.”
She shook her head but offered him a smile to soften what was certainly going to be criticism. “I agree with you.”
“You do?”
Charli laughed. “Of course. Ice cream is a sweet, sugary treat. That’s what makes it so delicious.”
“Exactly.”
“But…”
“There are no buts. It’s ice cream.”
“There are people who can’t have sugar or lactose.” She pointed to her swollen stomach. “At least not without a few repercussions.”
“Then maybe ice cream isn’t for them.”
Charli’s head snapped up. “Why shouldn’t it be?”
“For the very reasons you just said. If you can’t have extra sugar or lactose, then you can’t have ice cream.”
“No.” She tapped a fingernail on the cooler. “You can’t havethisice cream.”
“What are you saying?” Craig crossed his arms and leaned back against the counter behind him. “You’re saying I should bring in non-ice cream-ice cream just for my pregnant sister?”
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea.” She winked at him. “But I prefer the termspecialtyice cream. And yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. I think you’re missing out on a growing segment of customers who would love the opportunity to enjoy a sweet treat without sacrificing their dietary requirements. And I don’t mean just pregnant women.”
Before Craig could open his mouth to object, Charli fired off a question. “Have you noticed times when a parent will buy ice cream for his or her children, but not one for themselves?”
He dropped his arm and reluctantly nodded. “I have.”
“Maybe that person doesn’t like ice cream. But maybe they do and just don’t have a choice.”
“I see what you’re saying.”
“I thought you might.”
