Page 66 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

“Fuck you.”

“Nice bloke, that Gabe,” Jordan carries on as if he didn’t hear him. “And well…hot. Shot me down, though. I wonder why.”

He knows Jordan is just ragging him on, but that doesn’t stop the rush of warmth in his chest at the implication that Gabriel isn’t interested in anyone but Ellis. Especially since—he can finally admit it now—Jordan is ridiculously attractive. And not as fucked up in the head as Ellis.

“Aren’t you in love with your PA?” he reminds him.

“Not in love,” Jordan mutters, very unconvincingly.

“Uh-huh.”

“And my dick still works.”

“Quit it,” Ellis says grimly, not wanting to imagine Jordan’s dick anywhere near Gabriel.

“You need to start to get comfortable talking about dicks if you wanna date a person who has one.”

Ellis almost tells him that’s not what he meant when something else dawns on him. “You didn’t tell him we know each other, did you?”

Jordan purses his lips. “Define ‘tell him’.”

“Jordan!”

“I didn’t say it outright, but he got the message.”

“Jordan!”

“You should go back soon. He was clearly bummed about you being MIA.”

An insult dies on Ellis’ tongue. “Was he mad?”

“Not mad. Just sad.” Jordan’s face is sympathetic as he adds, “He seems like a really good person.”

Ellis swallows, a feeling of loss expanding through his chest. “He is.”

“You’re a really good person too. And he thinks the same.” Jordan hands him the box. “I hear you like cinnamon rolls.”

Ellis stares at it, at the smiley face Gabriel drew on the lid, and something snaps inside him. “I need to go.”

“Nuh-uh.” Jordan blocks the way with his body since his hands are full. “Coffee and sugar first.” Cutting Ellis’ protest short, he says, “You don’t wanna be a dick when you talk to him, do you?”

Ellis deflates. Jordan’s right. He’s not thinking clearly and he’s being hasty because he just had an epiphany. Besides,Gabriel is working now and he won’t have time to listen to Ellis unravel his soul or whatever. He needs to think it through, wait until he can think straight. Or not so straight.

“Thank you. For coming all the way here. For keeping my ass in line.” Sometimes he forgets how lucky he is to have a friend like Jordan. Other times, he curses his very existence.

“Oh, believe me. It’s my pleasure.”

“Does that mean it’s my turn to meddle in your love life and give sound advice?” Ellis asks, rather daunted at the thought.

Jordan pretends to think it over. “Nah, you’re good.”

“Thank god.”

I’m such a creep,Ellis thinks as he stands in front ofLost and Ground,watching Gabriel mop the floor. Mop the floor and use the handle as a mic while singing along with the song blasting from the speaker. Ellis can’t hear all the lyrics, but the volume is high enough that he thinks he recognizes the song.Is that Frozen?

Gabriel throws his head back and lets out a very passionate and enthusiasticLet it go.

Ellis hadn’t planned on being a creep, simply meaning to come here after the café has closed. He was hoping Gabriel would have the closing shift, but hadn’t considered the door would be locked. Instead of trying to get his attention, Ellis carries on watching him. A curious, tingly feeling travels throughhis limbs as he does. He resists the compulsion to squash it down, ignore it until it goes away. He needs to do the exact opposite if he wants a shot at this…thingwith Gabriel. Whatever it is.