Page 174 of Should Our Stars Collide

“Aren’t you already hurting him by staying away, though?”

“Not nearly as much as I would if I fucked up.” Yes, Kieran took the rejection hard—as anyone with his history would—but he’ll recover, eventually. He’ll recover and he’ll curse Ash to hell and back, his infatuation turning into anger, then indifference. Small price to pay in comparison.

“Isn’t it all the same?” Ellis asks, sounding genuinely confused. “I mean, if I had to choose between getting hurt a little for nothing, or risk getting hurt a lot but having a chance to get something great, I’d choose the latter.”

“That might be true for you, but you can’t speak for everyone.”

“Funny coming from someone who speaks so confidently on another person’s behalf.”

Ash opens his mouth and…says nothing. Instead, he stares like an idiot.

Ellis has his arms crossed, looking back at Ash like he’s challenging him to argue.

Ash wouldloveto, but…he doesn’t have a leg to stand on, does he? It’s one thing to be unwilling to take a risk himself, but a whole different one to decide what’s best for Kieran. So far, he’s been using him as an excuse for everything, drawing assumptions from what he already knows about Kieran. It’s actually kind of insulting towards him. Why does he have such little faith in him? Kieran’s nothing if not a force of nature, so why does Ash keep treating him like he’s made of glass?

Maybe because there’s just something about him that makes Ash want to protect him at all cost.

It would be easier if Kieran didn’t need protecting from Ash. Fuck. The universe really has a twisted sense of humor, because otherwise they’re made for each other.

Gabe appears with two paper cups and a box that smells like cinnamon rolls. He slides one of the cups towards Ash without so much as sparing him a glance, the rest to Ellis.

“Here you go, handsome.”

There’s something scribbled on Ellis’ cup, and a huge, askew heart is drawn on the box lid. VIP treatment, indeed.

“Thank you,” Ellis says. He rolls his eyes when Gabe purses his lips, refusing to let go of the cup and the box, but obediently leans in for a chaste kiss. “See you later?”

Gabe hums. “Don’t work too hard.”

“I’ll try my best.” Then Ellis turns to Ash, raising the cup in acknowledgement. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

“Good luck with what?” Gabe demands when Ellis has left.

Ash sighs. He’s too tired to try and be mysterious. “My love life.”

Surprise flashes across Gabe’s face. Then his eyes narrow. “Why are you discussing your love life with my man?”

“I had a feeling he’d understand my dilemma.”

“Did he?”

“Yeah.” He reaches over to pat Gabe’s forearm. “You found a good one, little cousin. Hold on tight.”

Ash swears there are actual sparkles floating around Gabe.

“You don’t have to tell me twice. I’m practically a tick at this point. I’ll never let him go.”

“I won’t give up. Ever. You’re mine.”

A small laugh leaves Ash’s chest. The way Kieran said it had been significantly less sweet. In fact, it had been slightly disturbing and…well, very Kieran.

“Holy shit.”

“What?”

Gabe stares at him incredulously. “You’re in love.”