Page 96 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

The following morning, Ellis sleeps through his alarm once again. In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the wisest to spend the better part of the night texting back and forth with Gabriel. This was followed by trying to get Jordan off his case when he called Ellis in the middle of the night to ask for ‘spicy details’ from his date. Which Ellis did not provide, much to Jordan’s chagrin.

While he’s not quite late for work, he won’t be able to make it toLost and Ground, not when he knows how easy it is to lose track of time when talking to Gabriel. Grumbling under his breath, he shoots Gabriel a text, apologizing for having to skip today. He doesn’t get a reply, but figures the café is just busy at this time.

Out of desperation, he orders a coffee from the little café at the office to tide him over, except he manages to mess up the order. He really needs to remember what the drink Gabriel makes him is called. After explaining, very badly, to the barista what the drink tastes like—and getting an unimpressed look in return—he’s served something that tastes like stale gingerbread cookie soaked in dishwater. Being in public is the only reason he doesn’t spit it out on the floor, though he dumps the whole thing in the nearest bin. Not a great start to the day.

An hour before his lunch break, Amanda strolls into his office, unprompted as per usual, holding a plastic container and a large paper cup.

“You didn’t tell me you’re waiting for a delivery. A tad early, isn’t it?”

Ellis frowns. “Delivery?”

“Mhmhm.” She walks over and puts the items on his overflowing desk. “Some cutie popped by and dropped these off.”

Cutie?That’s when Ellis notices theLost and Groundstamp on the cup. Wait, Gabriel is here? And he’s come all the way to drop off Ellis’ coffee and what seems to be yet another home-cooked meal?

Ellis stands so fast the chair rolls back and crashes into the window. “Is he still here? Why didn’t you let him in?” He marches to the hallway, but doesn’t see Gabriel. Dammit. Has he left? And how did he know where to go?

“Are we sending delivery guys straight to your office now?” Amanda retorts, voice amused.

“He’s not a delivery guy. He’s—” He draws a blank. Labels always annoyed him, but he could really use one right now. Isn’t it too early to discuss where this is going, though?

Amanda watches him expectantly, her expression pinched as if she’s trying not to smile. What has she to smile about?

“He’s…” Fuck it. He can discuss it with Gabriel later. “My boyfriend.” Okay. Wow. Why isthatmaking him all weird and squirmy on the inside?

Amanda makes a thoughtful sound, pulling him out of his reverie. Something is off, Ellis realizes.

“You’re not surprised?”

She sighs, throwing a blond lock over her shoulder. “We women can sense these things. Also…” She takes the cup, holding it out in front of Ellis so he can read the message scribbled below the lid.

Miss you. Hope you like Italian xx

She thrusts the cup at him, so he’s forced to take it—and stare at it with his mouth hanging open.

“Well done. He’s a cutie pie,” she says approvingly. Way too approvingly.

“Amanda.”

“Still clinging to that moisturizer excuse?”

“Amanda,”he says firmly, only managing to make her laugh.

“Going, I’m going. Enjoy your lunch.” She winks and strolls out, hips swinging and high heels clicking.

Boundaries. Ellis needs to establish some asap.

The scent of coffee and spices tickling his nose, he takes a long, blissful sip from the cup, letting out a little moan as it fills his mouth. Fuck, he needed this. Shame that Gabriel didn’t stay so he could see him, but he was probably in a rush to get back. Hopefully Zeke isn’t going to give him much crap for leaving in the middle of his shift.

Ellis:Did you ride all the way here from the café?

He starts to worry when it’s been twenty minutes without a reply. How long does it take to get to the café on a scooter? Those things can go insanely fast, which isn’t exactly reassuring. As far as Ellis is concerned, those death traps are no better than motorbikes, maybe worse since you can use them on thesidewalk. He knows that Gabriel’s been using his since moving to the Gold Coast, but experience isn’t everything. Something might’ve happened. Maybe he was rushing to get back and a car came out of—

The relief as his phone pings with a text is so intense it almost makes him nauseous.

Gabriel:The scooter is faster than a car :D

Ellis groans. Not. Reassuring. At all.