Page 129 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

“Okay, fine, maybe a tiny bit,” he admits begrudgingly, earning a kiss to his forehead.

“Gabriel?”

“Yeah?”

“Am I sunburned? My face feels really tight.”

Gabe flicks on the light, squinting before his vision adjusts. “Huh. You’re a little flushed, but that should settle down by morning.”

“You sure?”

“Oh yeah. It will be fine.”

“I look like a lobster.” Ellis stands in front of the mirror, studying his sore face. At least it doesn’t look as bad as his shoulders, which seem to have literally taken the burn.

“It’s not that bad,” Gabe lies, torn between sympathy and wanting to laugh his ass off.

In the mirror, Ellis gives him a look that speaks volumes, causing him to burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He steps behind Ellis to wrap his arms around him. “I know it must hurt. We’ll grab you some aloe on our way from the airport.”

Ellis lets out a dissatisfied grunt, but relaxes when Gabe gently rubs his favorite lotion with manuka honey into the burned skin.

They head for breakfast before driving Gabe’s mum to the airport, arriving unnecessarily early because Ellis likes to have a head start ‘just in case’.

“This was so lovely. Thank you, Ellis,” Mum says, hugging him goodbye. Gabe notices him hiding a wince as Mum squeezes his sensitive shoulders a tad too hard.

“My pleasure,” Ellis says, and Gabe can tell he’s sincere. “Take care of yourself, Carrie.”

“Same to you.” She bear-hugs Gabe, kissing his cheeks despite his protests. “Okay, boys, I have to fly.” She waves at them, heading for the security check. “See you in a few weeks.”

They both pause mid-wave, blurting out a simultaneous “What?”

“It’s almost Christmas! Don’t tell me you forgot.”

“No, I…” Gabe stutters. “I thought, since you came down now…”

“I’ve got plenty of annual leave hours left. Of course, I’ll come see my boys for Christmas!”

“Right.”

Oh god, Ellis is going to break up with him, isn’t he? No way is he willing to host Gabe’s mum twice in such a short period of time.

He chances a glance at Ellis, seeing the face of a man who’s come to accept his fate.

“I’ll have your room ready for you,” Ellis promises.

“You’re too sweet.” She wipes away an imaginary tear. “I’m so happy to have such a wonderful son-in-law.”

For the love of god. “Mum? Aren’t you going to miss your flight?”

“Right, right. See you soon, boys. Love you.”

“Bye, Mum.” To Ellis, he says, “I’m so sorry. Please ignore everything she said.”

Ellis laughs, but it’s obvious the possible-matrimony comment threw him off. “It’s fine. I mean, at least I have her approval as your boyfriend.”

“That, you do. I think she likes you better than me.”