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“Yes, one of our patrons runs it. She loves the more extravagant art and buys from one of my artists. The guy is almost exclusively painting for her.”

I feel my heart taking a leap. He is actually frequenting such a bar himself? I suddenly feel much lighter. I know from Ster and Mateo that the art scene is much more free-spirited than other fields of work, but Aden is still a CEO. Maybe not the typical CEO, but he could fit into their world easily. He is rich, owns his own business, and looks the part.

I gaze at him. Maybe he wouldn’t fit one hundred percent. He dresses a tad bit more casual despite always looking proper, and obviously he knows how to wear jeans as he proved tonight, but still…

Aden chuckles. “What are you thinking about?”

“I just tried to imagine you in a drag queen bar,” I say with a frown.

“And?”

“Doesn’t work,” I say bluntly. “You always look so perfectly classy. Wouldn’t a fancy high-end bar suit you more?” I pause. “Oh fuck! I said that out loud, didn’t I?!”

“Yes, you did,” Aden says, furrowing his brows. I am so doomed. “But I appreciate this version of you much more than the one who wants to test me.”

What? Is he serious? “I don’t hear that a lot.”

“That your date doesn’t want to be tested?”

“No, that someone doesn’t hate my bluntness. I am not really…” I think. “I have an attitude, okay? I know it.”

“Have I complained?” Aden asks in return.

His words take the wind out of my sails. “No.”

“Alright,” Aden nods. “Then let’s go to this bar of yours. And for the record, I do like to visit a fancy bar here and there, but tend to avoid those where I am forced to mingle with the typical CEO audience. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t fit.”

“Really?” I blink. “But I have seen you during the event. You can handle them so well!”

“Yes, because I have to, and it’s my business. Also, the gallery is my territory. I know how to handle it well. But in my free time? I don’t fit in at such clubs and bars, and more importantly, I don’t feel comfortable there.”

I let his words sink in. That makes sense, I guess. Just like Ster is an artist, and knows how to talk to his fellow artists during events and to potential patrons, but he doesn’t like hanging out in such a stiff atmosphere, preferably.

~~~

The bar I am taking Aden to has a blinking pink sign above the door carrying the letters Paradise. It sounds and looks like a strip club at first glance, but the additional sign very much clarifies that it isn’t.

The owner is named DeeDee, and fortunately, she is present tonight.

“Noel!” she exclaims with a smile when she spots me. Unlike the bar I work in, her place is actually crowded.

She comes over, giving me a hug before gazing at Aden, a bright grin on her face. “And who are you, handsome?”

“Aden,” he says, reaching out his hand to shake hers. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She shakes his hand, starstruck. “DeeDee,” she says. “My, how polite.” She turns to me. “Your date, or are you stupid enough not to grab the chance?”

I feel my cheeks flush in embarrassment again. “DeeDee!” I groan. “Can’t you not embarrass me?”

She frowns while looking at me. “You are also looking way too skinny. Are you not eating properly?” Before I even so much as say anything, she already ushers Aden and me to a small empty table in a cozy corner. “Here, sit down there. I had a feeling you might come by today and saved this place for you.” She grins. “Didn’t know you’d come with such a hot date, though.”

Since Aden doesn’t say or do anything to correct her, that we are technically meeting casually as friends, I don’t either.

“I will bring you something to eat. Anything you would like, handsome? We don’t have many fancy choices, but what I offer my guests at least tastes good.”

Handsome, aka Aden, just smiles. “Whatever suits a gin and tonic would be nice.”

She winks at him and nods before turning to me. “For you, the usual?”