Page 54 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

“This is a cute little place,” the man comments after he’s paid.

Gabe suppresses a sigh, both at his own attitude and the man’s attempt at small talk.

“Thanks.”

“Been here long?”

“About five years.”

The man hums. “Interesting name, by the way.”

That makes Gabe groan and look up, the man’s eyes sparkling with mirth. “Not my idea.” Hemightsound a little defensive.

“It was mine!” Zeke announces with pride. “Hi, I’m Zeke.”

The man slowly looks at him, as if surprised to see another person there. Giving him an acknowledging nod, he turns back to Gabe. “And you are?”

“Gabe.”

“Jordan.” He offers his hand for a shake, a small smirk curling a corner of his lips. Under other circumstances, Gabe might have found that smirk attractive. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” He slides his hand into Jordan’s, mindful to not send anything through the connection. It’s hard enough to keep his emotions in check as it is, but pushing them back when it comes to physical contact is ten times harder.

Some of them—probably disinterest and mild frustration—must seep through regardless, because the smirk disappears from Jordan’s face, his intense energy growing muter as if someone turned down the light in the living room. He quickly schools his expression and lets go of Gabe’s hand.

“Are you new to the area?” Gabe asks, feeling a little bad for the guy now.

Jordan’s aura instantly brightens, and so do his features. “Visiting a friend, actually. Only here for two days before I’m going back to Sydney.”

Gabe nods, smiling, this time genuinely. He loves listening to people talk about their passions and their loved ones. Their energy always turns into something warm and beautiful.

“Shame that you can only stay two days. Do you get to see each other often?”

“We’re in the same business and used to work together. In Sydney. But he went through some hard-core family drama and had to relocate here.” He sighs. “I do miss the fucker.”

Gabe tenses up. That…sounds awfully familiar. Itcouldbe a coincidence,except it checks out all too well. Family drama? Sydney? Relocating to the GC? Yeah, no. Also, coincidencesneverhappen to him. Ever.

“You should bring him along. We’re open on Saturdays too,” he suggests innocently.

Jordan laughs. “Yeah, I might, though I’m pretty sure he’s been here before. I found some cups with your logo in his kitchen. No idea why he kept used cups, but I figured; Ellis is a huge coffee snob, so your coffee must be good.”

Shit. He was right. Jordanistalking about Ellis and—

Wait a second.

“He keeps the cups?” he asks, voice a little squeaky.

“Weird, I know.” Jordan laughs again.

“Did you ask him about it?”

Why would Ellis—Oh.Gabe’s written a couple of messages for him, hasn’t he? And Ellis kept them? God, that’s just so adorable and kinda yucky and sad and adorable.

Pull yourself together, for crying out loud.

If Jordan’s noticed Gabe’s obvious fishing, he doesn’t show it. “Haven’t had the chance. He’s at work, but he gave me the keyto his apartment. But I’m totally gonna ask when I see him.” He seems to be excited about the prospect of teasing Ellis.

Gabe’s thoughts get stuck on the part about Jordan having a key to Ellis’ apartment. Okay, so he’s obviously staying with Ellis for the two days. And they’re obviously close if Ellis gave him a key. And Jordan is obviously queer and lights up when talking about Ellis. And—