Page 76 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

“Ellis!” Gabriel yelps, scandalized.

Ellis laughs, warmed by the concern. With anyone else, he’d be annoyed that they were trying to lecture him. But if there’s one thing he’s learned about Gabriel, it’s how much he cares even when he shouldn’t. “I’m fine. Coffee is necessary for survival. And, as you know, I’m now very partial to a certain less lethal drink.”

Gabriel huffs unhappily. “That’s something, at least. But I’m starting to regret baking all these.” He makes a show of taking away the box of cinnamon rolls.

Ellis snatches the box before it’s out of his reach. “No no no, these are safe. Totally safe.”

Gabriel laughs heartily, letting him have his way. “Whatever you say.”

“I’ll work it off.”

“I’d like to be there to see that,” Gabriel says, seemingly without thinking. His face twists in a grimace. “Sorry. Filter malfunction.”

“I don’t mind,” Ellis says honestly, biting his lip so as not to laugh. Gabriel’s mind is a chaotic, curious place, and Ellis maybe-not-so-secretly loves it, even if a part of him sometimes gets uncomfortable. The idea of Gabriel watching him as he works out is not…unpleasant. It sure would motivate him to give his best performance.

Feeling his skin warming up, Ellis shovels a forkful of food into his mouth. An unrestrained moan rumbles from his chest. “This is amazing.”

“Yeah?” Gabriel asks, a little wide-eyed.

“Uh-huh.” Ellis devours half of the container in under a minute, not even caring he probably looks like a pig. “I never realized how different a home-cooked meal could taste.” Dawson cooked for him when he came over for dinner, but that was still when things were pretty crazy, and Ellis was stressed out of his mind. He couldn’t even appreciate it properly.

“You parents didn’t cook?”

Ellis almost laughs. “I’m not sure my dad ever even boiled water for tea.”

“And your mum?”

Feeling his throat closing up, Ellis swallows with difficulty. “Never really knew her. She left when we were kids, though Cal obviously remembers her better. Well, used to remember her.Not now, obviously. Our nannies would cook for us.” He forces a smile. “But it was never this good.”

Judging by Gabriel’s intense gaze, he can see right through Ellis’ attempt to downplay it. Thankfully, he doesn’t call him out. “I’m happy to cook for you whenever you want.”

“Be careful, or I might take you up on the offer,” Ellis jokes. Gabriel is probably throwing it out there to make him feel better.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Gabriel says, and they both laugh.

“Thank you. For all of this,” Ellis says when they’ve been quiet for too long. “I’ve never been on a picnic before.”

“Really?” Gabriel asks with disbelief. His expression changes into something smug. “Does that mean I’m your first?”

Ellis huffs, ignoring the squirming sensation in his gut. “Sure.”

“Well, I’m glad you like it. I love picnics. Couldn’t count how many I’ve had.”

The squirming sensation turns into something sharp and bitter. Does that mean Gabriel does this for all his dates? Cooks for them, takes them to the beach to have dinner and watch the sunset?

Did you think you were special?

“Hey, you okay?” Gabriel asks, two lines of worry between his brows as he scans Ellis’ face.

Ellis forces a smile. “Yeah, just thinking.” He shivers when Gabriel’s fingers graze his arm, sending a jolt of electricity through his body. Inadvertently, he leans into the touch.

“Hey.” Gabriel gently prompts him to look at him, his gaze kind and honest. “There’s no one else I’d rather be here with. I want you to know that.”

Ellis releases a shuddery breath, mourning the loss of contact when Gabriel stops touching him. “How are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“How do you always know what to say? Are you a mind reader, or something?” he adds with a chuckle. Gabriel’s been able to read him so well ever since he’d stepped into the café, Ellis might as well have his thoughts tattooed on his forehead.