Feeling exposed and embarrassed, Ellis turns his attention to Ash.
Not a good idea. Ash is looking at him like he can read his mind, and given that he’s Gabriel’s cousin, it’s not unlikely. Fuck. Could this be any more mortifying?
“So…Kieran is clearly fond of you,” Ellis points out, hoping to steer the conversation elsewhere.
“Don’t worry. He’ll come around,” Ash says, smiling salaciously.
Something hits Ellis then. “Wait. That was you flirting?” he asks with disbelief.
“That was Ash being a self-absorbed ass and trying to get into a straight guy’s pants,” Gabriel says, his tone all judgment and disapproval.
Ash snorts. “Nothing straight going on in there.”
“Don’t you thinkIwould know?”
Ash slowly arches one brow. “Don’t you thinkIwould know betterthan you?”
Gabriel’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t contradict him again.
“Are you talking about your mojo?” Ellis asks, curious. When he gets a perplexed look in response, it occurs to him he might’ve overstepped. Apologetic, he turns to Gabriel. “Was I not supposed to tell? I’m sorry.”
“He knows?” Ash asks. He doesn’t sound upset. Instead, he grins again, folding his arms and resting his hip against the counter. “Well, would you look at that. Am I hearing wedding bells?”
“Ash…” Gabriel growls in warning.
“Got it, got it,” Ash placates, not without an eyeroll. “I’ll get my usual and be out of your hair lickety-split.”
Ellis has never seen Gabriel make a drink so fast.
“Now leave.”
Unbothered, Ash takes his drink and salutes Ellis with it. “Pleasure to have made your acquaintance. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of each other from now on.”
Managing a subdued ‘See you’, Ellis watches him go, still reeling from the whole interaction.
“So…” He turns to Gabriel. “That’s Ash.”
Gabriel makes a noise of despair. “I’m so, so sorry. You shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
“No, that’s…that’s fine. He seems like a funny guy.” Even if the fun is on account of everyone else.
“Oh god, no.” Gabriel shakes his head resolutely. “No.”
Laughing softly, Ellis takes Gabriel’s hand. “Hey. I’m just glad I got to meet someone from your life. You know everybody from mine.”
A reluctant smile appears on Gabriel’s lips which is quickly replaced with annoyance. “I’d be happy to swap.”
Ellis laughs, finding Gabriel’s antics amusing. As much as he bitches about his cousin and Zeke, it’s obvious how much he loves them.
“I have to go,” he says regretfully after a glance at his watch. “See you tomorrow?”
“Yeah.” Gabriel leans over the counter for a kiss. “Don’t work too hard.”
Ellis kisses him again, just because he can. “I’ll do my best.”
“You got laid.”
Ellis almost trips over his own feet, precariously balancing the box of donuts. “What?”
