Page 160 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

“I’ve been considering it since Cal and Dawson’s wedding,” he confesses. “It just kind of got to me, all of us being there. Even Dawson’s sister and her family.” Olivia has warmed up to Cal considerably over the years, but their relationship has never been the best. “It’s nice when family gets together for something important.”

“Something important?”

“Yeah. I mean…” He starts to lather up Gabriel’s chest to have something to do. “I don’t know what my mum is like. If she’s even a good person.” He holds Gabriel’s gaze as he says the next part. “But if there’s a possibility to mend the bridges, I’d like to have her at my wedding too.”

Gabriel’s brows furrow. “Your wedding? Who are you marrying?” He takes a step back. “Wait a minute. Is this a proposal?”

Ellis squirms. “No. It’s foreshadowing.”

Gabriel lets out a puff of air. “Well, thank god because as far as proposals go, this was abysmal. And I would hate for you to beat me to it.”

“What?”

“What?”

“You said—”

“I’m just foreshadowing.”

“Right.”

They both stand very still, trying to keep impassive expressions.

“Do you think I should invite my dad to my hypothetical wedding?” Gabriel asks next.

“Would you like to have him at your hypothetical wedding?”

“I wouldn’t hate it. But I’d have to tell mum first.”

“Have you considered telling her?”

Gabriel sighs. “Every day.”

Ellis closes the distance between them, tugging Gabriel under the spray to wash the soap off him. “Take your time. There’s no rush.”

“No? Because I was hoping to get married before 30.”

“You’re 31.”

“You won’t let me have any nice things, will you?” Gabriel grumbles.

“That’s not true. You can have anything you want.”

“Guinea pigs?”

“No.”

“Chinchillas?”

Ellis smiles. “No.”

“Ugh. Guess I’ll have to make do with you.”

“Yeah, you have no choice.”

Gabriel nods along. “A terrible imposition. Truly.”

“I love you,” Ellis says, his heart swelling to twice its size. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”