Chapter ElevenTwo weeks later, Ellie and Sam were alone in the Screamin' Bean except for a huddle of three grad students prepping for classes in the corner. August sunlight slanted through the corner window, bathing the checkered tile of the old soda shop in pale yellow. Quaint might be an overused word, but Golden Grove had it.
Ellie took a sip from her giant porcelain mug, something called an affogato espresso. She wasn't totally sure what was in it because she had stopped listening after Dolores, the waitress behind the counter, said the word ice cream. It was sweet and hot and delicious.
They'd been affably sharing their progress on their respective books. Sam had given her a few suggestions for some sticky spots she'd been struggling with in hers. She'd given him some ideas on how t
