Page 157 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

“Not that anything will. But, you know. Shit happens. You never know, you might get fed up with me.” It hurt to consider the possibility, but he had to be realistic. He would never want to put Gabriel in a position where he’d feel compelled to stay with Ellis for the sake of his livelihood.

Suddenly, Gabriel straddles his thighs, his fingers sinking into Ellis’ hair and forcing him to look at him.

“Ellis.”

“W-what?”

“You can be so dumb sometimes, you know that?”

“Um…”

“But…” He brushes his thumb over Ellis’ parted lips. “You’re the most loving, loyal, fucking amazing person I’ve ever met. I’ll die before I let you go.”

The fierceness of Gabriel’s words renders him speechless. It takes all his effort to get out a simple “Okay.”

“Okay,” Gabriel repeats, seemingly satisfied with that answer. “By the way, I’m paying you back.”

“What? No.”

“Yes. Don’t argue with me. Consider yourself our new landlord and we’re paying you rent.”

“I don’t need the money.”

“Tough because you’re gonna get it. Ellis, it’s a matter of dignity. Even if you convinced me to let it rest, you would have a hard time with Zeke. He won’t accept charity.”

“It’s not—”

“I know. But you have to see our side too.”

Ellis hesitates. Why is it such a big deal? He rarely spends money on the things he wants. He got an apartment because he needed it, just as he needed his car or his phone. For once, he invested money in something that truly matters to him, so why can’t Gabriel just let it go?

Starting to accept defeat, Ellis relents. “Fine. But I won’t let you pay whatever you’ve been paying until now.” He remembers what Gabriel said about the rent starting to get too high. “I’ll take 40%.” That should be satisfactory, right?

Clearly not.

“That’s ridiculous. We could easily afford to pay 80%.”

“No.”

“70?”

“No.”

“Fine. 65%. That’s my last word. And you’re not allowed to pay for anything at the café ever again.”

Judging by Gabriel’s determined expression, there will be no swaying him.

Stubborn bastard, Ellis thinks fondly.

“Deal.”

“Deal.” Gabriel’s smile is so big it almost doesn’t fit his face. “Seal it with a kiss?”

Ellis laughs. He leans up, stopping abruptly. “I don’t have to kiss Zeke too, do I?”

Gabriel’s expression turns murderous. “Over my dead body. And his, if he tries to tell you otherwise.”

Ellis laughs, shaking his head. As if he would let that happen.