Page 12 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

“Hello?” he tries, cringing a little.

There’s a thud, a cry of pain, and a muttered ‘Shit’ before a mop of brown hair peeks out from behind the counter, followed by a pair of eyes blinking at Ellis in surprise.

“Well, hello,” the guy drawls as he rises to his feet, flopping what looks like a cleaning cloth on the counter.

Ellis recognizes him as the other barista—Zach, or something? And maybe-Zach definitely recognizes Ellis, if the supercilious smirk is anything to go by. Whatever. Ellis isn’t here to make customer of the year. Unless they’ve put him on the blacklist, he’s free to order a stupid coffee, right?

He approaches the counter, his mouth opening to place his order, when maybe-Zach holds up a finger.

“Could you hold on a sec?” He turns around without waiting for a response, disappearing behind a swing door that saysKitchen.

“Do I have a choice?” Ellis says to no one. When he thought the service couldn’t get any worse…

Yet, here you are.

Because the coffee is good.

Whatever you say.

Fuck off!

The kitchen door opens, and Ellis’ stomach drops when the person who walks out first is the barista who served him before, wearing a full-length apron that saysRise and grind.And he doesn’t sound happy.

“—couldn’t have waited five minutes?” Ellis hears.

Maybe-Zach follows after him, grinning as he replies, “Nope.”

“Zeke, I swear to god—” The barista stops abruptly when his gaze latches onto Ellis. “Oh. Hi!”

“Hi,” Ellis says, feeling like an animal in the Zoo. ‘Come look, everyone! A rare exhibition of Dicktosaurus. We thought they’re extinct, but then we found this guy!’

“Right!” Zeke—not Zach—says loudly. “I just remembered I need to clean the oven. Gabe here will take care of you.” He claps Gabe—Gabriel—on the shoulder, shoots Ellis a wink, and takes off. Just like that.

A sinking feeling spreads through Ellis’ abdomen. Apparently, he made such an impression last time that the staff are arguing about who’s going to serve him. Gabriel has probably worked here the shortest if he’s gotten stuck with Ellis. The newbies always have to do the dirty jobs.

Dramatic much?

He expects to be treated with a cold, detached sort of demeanor—which would serve him right—so he’s not ready when Gabriel gives him a sunny smile that takes all the wind out his sails.

“Excuse him,” Gabriel says, taking off his gloves and throwing them in the trash. “He fell on his head as a kid. Repeatedly.”

Something about the way he says it prompts a soft laugh out of Ellis. “I know a few people like that.”

Oh god. Don’t get chatty, for crying out loud.

It’s hard to listen to that cynical voice when Gabriel’s smile grows impossibly brighter, making the tempest in Ellis’ head just…quiet.

“Life is hard, huh? So, what would you like? A heart attack in a cup?”

Normally, Ellis would get defensive. It’s nobody’s business how he drinks his coffee. But to his own surprise, Gabriel’s comment doesn’t bug him. He even feels himself wanting to smile a little.

“Seeing as it’s the only thing that gives me the power to survive the day…”

“Sugar rush would do that too,” Gabriel says, cocking his head towards the pastry display.

“I already ate,” Ellis says, giving the display a (hopefully) discreet, mournful glance.

“This isn’t for when you’re hungry,” Gabriel says, as though he’s explaining something to a clueless child. “It’s to bring some extra happiness to your life.”