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“Everything alright?”

I raise my head to look at Lynn. “How long have you been standing there?”

She raises her brows. “A couple of minutes. I called your name, but you were so distracted you didn’t answer.” She tilts her head. “Is everything alright? And before you answer, let me tell you, I know it isn’t, so don’t think about lying.” I am still contemplating how to send her away when she folds her arms. “My date dumped me.”

This catches my attention immediately. “You mean the guy you introduced to me during the exhibit?”

“Yes. Not that I was too involved already, but it’s starting to annoy me. Somehow, I always manage to attract guys who turn around and leave the moment they see where I work.”

Where she works isn’t the problem, but I know what she is truly saying. “They are insecure assholes.”

“Although I am always honest about me being a co-CEO,” she says. “Somehow they don’t believe it until they see it.” She pauses. “Now, so much about me. I told you why my mood is terrible. Your turn now.”

I sigh. “Close the door.”

Lynn does what I told her and steps closer, sitting down on the chair in front of my desk. “The cutie, huh?”

“How do you know?”

“Come on!” She laughs. “You suddenly act unlike your usual self at work, right after you were at that exhibition with him, at which you also weren’t like your usual self. That guy clearly is doing something to you. So, spill the beans.”

I shift my pen between my hands. Maybe she is right. My normal reaction would be to leave it at that. Noel ran after our night together and didn’t reply to me. I should probably take the cue and not reach out to him anymore, and take it as what it is.

But then I think of the vulnerable look in his eyes.

I don’t know why, but he looked so anxious and hurt.

And somehow, I don’t want to leave it at that, so I tell Lynn the short version of what happened.

“Man, Aden.” She is clearly stunned. “I can barely believe it.”

“I know, it’s a mess.”

“That’s not it,” she tells me. “Sure, it’s a bit messy, but not worse than other stories I have heard. But you care for that guy!”

“Lynn—”

“I am so happy,” she blurts out. “My God, Aden, I am so happy. You like the guy!”

“I think you are focusing on the wrong details right now,” I say. “He literally ran from me.”

“It’s not the wrong focus. Finally, you have let someone in again, or you are starting to let someone in, and I guess that’s where the problem lies.”

Now, she has clearly piqued my curiosity. “What do you mean?”

“You have opened the door a little, but not fully. I don’t know Noel well, but from what you told me, it sounds like he went through a lot.”

“It does,” I admit. “I don’t know much, but the job at that sleazy bar gives it away.”

“He is insecure, Aden,” she says. “I can’t believe I need to spell it out to you, but you are an intimidating guy to be with.”

Her words make me laugh. “Now you are being ridiculous!”

“Well, you are not intimidating tome, but that’s because I know you and you are my friend. But you have been intimidating to all your assistants—”

“Cedric isn’t intimidated by me.”

“He is,” she points out. “He just knows how to handle it, and he likes the job, and he also likes working with you despite being intimidated.” She pauses. “And as for your slightly anxious boyfriend? Definitely intimidated. You are extremely well-put together, very much in control, successful, and you barely share anything with anyone. It’s extremely hard to read you. Noel is easy to read. I can tell already after only meeting him once. His emotions are all over his face, but you… You are like a closed book with a lock on it, and a super-strong, magical spell guarding said lock.”