Page 33 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

He’s probably thinking very highly of himself, but Ellis could swear Gabriel rushes through the three customers before him, sparing only a few words to each before writing down their order and moving onto the next person.

Before Ellis knows it, it’s his turn.

Only, he forgot what he wanted to say. He stands there like an idiot with his mouth half-open but no sound coming out.

Gabriel saves him, his already huge smile broadening the slightest bit. “You’re back.”

Ellis, with his above average IQ, manages to squeeze out, “Yes.”

Head tilting to the side in a bird-like manner (which is not cute, by the way), Gabriel’s eyes travel around Ellis’ face, studying him. His lips twitch. “Rough night?”

Heat crawling up his neck, Ellis lets out an embarrassed chuckle. “I look that bad, huh?”

“Nah.” Gabriel winks. “A little disheveled, but you’re still gorgeous.”

Ellis freezes, his eyes probably popping halfway out of their sockets. “What?”

Gabriel mirrors his expression. “What?”

“You said—”

“I didn’t say anything.” Gabriel quickly drops his gaze to the iPad and clears his throat. “Now, where were we? Right.” He clasps his hands together. “ A large long black, two extra shots?”

His mind stuck on the word ‘gorgeous’, it takes Ellis a few long seconds to process the question. “Actually…I think I’ll have the other drink. You know, the one you made for me last time?”

Gabriel looks at him in surprise. “You liked it?”

“Yeah. It was different. I liked the spices.”

“Cool.” Gabriel grins. “So, one dirty chai on oat?” He hovers his hand over the selection of cup sizes. “Medium?”

“I’ll have a large today.”

“Great.” Gabriel scribbles on the cup and puts the order through the iPad. “Anything else?”

A ‘no’ on the tip of his tongue, Ellis hesitates. He still hasn’t eaten breakfast, and the spicy-sweet scent floating from the pastry cabinet gives his stomach all sorts of ideas. “I’ll have a cinnamon roll too. Which I’ll pay for,” he adds with a pointed look.

Gabriel, the minx, rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah.” He grabs the tongs and a small paper box. “Should’ve known you’d have a sweet tooth. Runs in the family, huh?”

Ellis goes to say that no, it actually doesn’t, before Gabriel’s words register. “What do you mean?”

“Your brother and his donut addiction?”

“You know Cal?” Ellis asks like a moron.

“He’s a regular. He and Dawson. And the doggo.”

“Huh.” Makes sense. The café is kinda conveniently stuck between Ellis and Cal’s apartments, though it’s definitely closer to Cal’s. “How did you know we’re related?”

“I just found out yesterday. Cal popped in solo this time to stock up on some donuts while his hubby wasn’t around. He mentioned having lunch with his brother, and your name came up.”

“Oh.”

Ellis can’t keep the surprise from his face. Cal talks about him? It takes incredible effort not to interrogate Gabriel about what exactly Cal said.

“It explains why we only met recently,” Gabriel carries on. “You’re new to the area, right? Sydney, was it?”

“Yeah,” he confirms. “I’m still…adjusting.”