Page 81 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

Pausing midchew with his cheeks bulging, Ellis’ face twists with worry. Swallowing, he asks, “Do I drain you?”

“No. Not in theleast.” It’s one of the reasons why Gabe likes being around him so much. Ellis might be a bit of a grump, but there is nothing draining or abrasive about him. Except for that stubble. That looks like it would cause a delicious burn on Gabe’s—

Control yourself, for fuck’s sake.

“Your energy is very caring. Soothing.”

Ellis scoffs. “Yeah, right.”

“Nuh-uh.” Gabe waggles his finger in disapproval. “You don’t get to argue with an empath.”

“Whatever you say.”

“I might need to move eventually,” Gabe returns to the original topic. In fact, this is something that’s been on his mind lately. “Even if the landlord doesn’t increase the rent—which she should because this really is a steal—the rent we pay on the café has almost doubled since we first opened. And we’re nearing the end of the lease agreement again, so that will suck.”

“I thought the café’s doing well.”

“Most of the time it is. We took a hit during the pandemic, as most small businesses did, but it’s gotten better. Our regulars were very supportive and loyal. But Zeke and I are both reluctant to increase our prices to match the current market. So we usually don’t.”

He can practically feel Ellis’ internal cringe. For him as a businessman, the notion must be completely insane. To his credit, he doesn’t lecture Gabe.

“I take it business management isn’t in your blood?”

“Ugh, I hate it. I wish I could just give out free coffee and pastries.” Leaning back and resting an arm on the back of the sofa, he angles his body so he’s mostly facing Ellis. “You have any advice for me, Mr. Big CEO?”

“Nothing really helpful. Sometimes you just have to do things you’d rather avoid,” he says, his voice somewhat hollow.

“You don’t like your job, do you?” Gabe blurts out. He knew Ellis isn’t crazy about his job, but until now he hadn’t realized how unhappy he is.

“It’s alright, I guess.” When Gabe gives him a rather unimpressed look, he sighs. “It sucks.”

“What would you rather do?”

“Honestly? I’d just like some fucking sleep.” Ellis laughs, but it quickly dies down. “I’m joking. Things will calm down, eventually. It’s been crazy because of the relocation and Cal and…yeah.”

“You sneakily avoided the question,” Gabe points out gently. “That’s okay. You don’t have to tell me.”

“I don’t know what I’d want to do. There’s not much I’m good at.”

“Is that you talking, or your dad?” Gabe challenges, hoping he’s not overstepping. Ellis doesn’t seem to have an answer to that. “And it’s not about talent or anything. My question was what you wouldliketo do.”

Ellis contemplates it for a moment. “I have a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Design. I took it as a prerequisite to my master’s in Building Management. It was… I enjoyed it. Creating something brand new and unique, it was…satisfying.”

It must have been more than satisfying, if the way Ellis’ energy just lit up is any indication.

“Yeah, I bet. Architects are cool. It’s like combining art and science.”

Ellis scoffs. “I’m not an artist, nor a scientist. I’m just someone who bosses other people around.”

“Would you rather someone bossyouaround? Because I volunteer.”

Ellis’ gaze snaps up to him, his eyes widening comically. He sputters through some unintelligible words, his face changing color.

“I’m joking,” Gabe says unconvincingly. Hewasjoking, but upon witnessing Ellis’ reaction, the image has planted itself in his brain. Great. Now he’s gonna be thinking about tying Ellis to the bed and having his wicked way with him. It doesn’t help that Ellis doesn’t feel alarmed or disgusted. He feels almost—

“Right. I know.” Ellis coughs awkwardly. “So how did you end up running a café?”

Smooth. Not. But Gabe allows it, welcoming the distraction.