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“Sounds like it,” Ster says. “If he spent hours just talking to you, it certainly sounds like he had a good time.”

“Do you like him?” Mateo asks.

“I don’t know.”

“Noel,” he says with insistence. “Do you like the guy? This is not the type of person you date without having a clear goal in mind. He is Sterling’s mentor and boss.”

I feel annoyed at his patronizing tone, but I can’t really hold it against him this time. I’d hate to sabotage Sterling’s success. “Itwasn’t planned like this,” I admit. “I truly just wanted to get to know him, but somehow he…”

“Struck a chord?” Sterling asks.

“Yes.” My heart skips a beat when I recall the way Aden laughed. He doesn’t seem to laugh or smile a lot, but when I met him yesterday, there was one moment in which he laughed brightly. And it was so raw and real and beautiful. It warms my chest just thinking about it, while at the same time, I feel my stomach clenching just thinking of someone else getting too close to him.

I don’t have much to offer and am incredibly difficult on top of that. I only have my looks. But the world is full of handsome men, and I am sure there are so many guys out there who would suit Aden so much better.

Yeah, fuck.

I guess I broke my own rule not to fall for a guy too fast.

“Okay,” Sterling says casually, pulling me out of my thoughts. “You like him. That’s cool.”

“You really don’t mind?” I ask him.

Ster shrugs. “Couldn’t care less. Also, I prefer him miles over any of the usual guys you hook up with.” He tosses a look at Mateo. It’s sharper than usual. “You do too, don’t you?”

“Of course,” Mateo exclaims. “He isn’t a sleazy asshole.”

I frown. “Could you not diss my dating life?”

“Sorry,” Mateo says. “Don’t worry, it's not like any of us has a great track record of successful dates. But Sterlone is right, Aden Randall looks like he is a decent guy.”

“I am pretty sure heisa decent guy,” Ster says while pouring himself more coffee. “I’ve heard some stories. Make him look good.”

His words immediately pique my interest. “What type of stories?”

Sterling looks at his cup of coffee thoughtfully before getting up.

“Sterling! You can’t ditch me now?” I exclaim.

Mateo nods. “He is right, I want to hear it too.”

Sterling ignores us. He has that look in his eyes like he is somewhere far away. “I need to paint,” he mutters.

I frown, ready to complain, but Mateo just takes my arm and squeezes it slightly. “Don’t,” he mutters. “You know how he is when he is like that.”

“But mid-conversation?” I complain.

Mateo smiles. “That’s how he is.”

I lean back with a sigh, before eyeing Mateo thoughtfully. “You are mad at me, aren’t you?”

“Not really,” Mateo says. “I do think it was a risky move, though.”

“To meet someone at a shady place or to meet Aden?”

“Both,” he says.

“Yeah, not my smartest move,” I admit. “I just… I forgot to think.”