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Mateo raises his brows. “Coming from you, that means a lot. You tend to overthink.”

“Oh, come on, I am not that bad!”

“You invited the poor guy to that bar just for a test when you could have met him normally and told him you work there and why,” Mateo points out mercilessly.

“And he didn’t run,” I say quietly.

“He didn't run,” Mateo agrees. “Are you in contact with him?”

“Yes.” I smile like a fucking idiot. “I promised I would write him whenever I come home from work so that he knows that I am safe. Oh, and he is on a business trip but keeps sending me messages.” I grin. “He is the no-emoji type of guy, though.”

Mateo laughs. “If that’s his only fault, you are a lucky guy.”

“He doesn’t talk a lot about his private life, but neither do I,” I admit. “Do you think that’s a problem?”

“Why would it be? It’s not like you are lying to each other. You are not obliged to share every single part of your life and problems with a guy you just started dating, and vice versa. Just promise you will try to open up to him, at least gradually.”

It feels like a cold hand is being wrapped around my heart. “What if he doesn’t accept me and what I did in the past?”

“Noel—"

“Please take my fear seriously,” I beg.

“I do,” he says. “But I don’t think you need to be scared of his reaction. I bet he already knows things are off in your life. You did talk about the bar after all, he saw it, you even gave him an explanation and told him there is more to it. And he accepted it. He isn’t an idiot, Noel. This guy has a way of seeing things,” he pauses, “of just looking behind the façade.”

I snort humorlessly. “So poetic.”

“But it’s true. It’s why he is so good at what he does, and why he is so popular.”

“He doesn’t think he has a special gift,” I tell him.

“Yeah, typical for people who are gifted,” Mateo says. “Look at Sterling.”

I turn around, my gaze wandering towards the small adjacent atelier where Sterling is currently drawing. He is so fucking talented yet acts as if all he does isjustmove paint across a canvas. “You have a point. But there is still no guarantee he will accept everything about me.”

“There is always a risk,” Mateo says quietly. “But it’s worth taking. And if he is an asshole about it, tell us.”

“How would that be helpful to Ster’s job?” I ask.

“Sterlone can handle himself.”

“Oh, he suddenly can?” I chuckle. “Didn’t you just say that me dating Aden could ruin everything?”

“I didn’t say it’d ruin everything, just make things more complicated,” Mateo says. “Besides, you are more important than anything else. Sterling would move the world for you. So, don’t worry. He knows how to handle himself. My initial comment was stupid.”

“Nah, I get it,” I mutter. “Besides, I think Aden would be professional enough to keep supporting Ster when he dumps me.”

“Why do you sound so sure that he’ll dump you?” Mateo shakes his head. “Just five minutes ago, you were still raving about this guy and how he handled your date. Have a little faith.”

“It’s difficult to have faith,” I admit.

Mateo is silent, then he sighs. “I know,” he says quietly.

His phone rings just at that moment, disrupting our talk. “Sorry,” Mateo says. “I need to take this one. It’s Sterling’s accountant.”

“Don’t worry,” I reassure him.

Mateo steps out on the tiny balcony of Ster’s apartment, closing the door behind him. Ster’s apartment is ridiculous but fits him. It’s all open space, minus said tiny balcony.