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“Sometimes,” he says. “I tried to learn a lot about different styles. Whenever I tried a new method or new material, I’d research beforehand. I also love everything concerning the history of art and would use it for personal research too.”

“That’s great,” I point out. “Why not keep the desk here?”

“I don’t think it fits anymore. I want to have my research place in the attic as well.”

“And what do you want to put here instead?” I ask. “There’d be an empty space.”

“How about a small bar?” he asks.

It takes a minute or more for me to grasp what he just said. “No way,” I exclaim. “You… for me? I can’t possibly accept that.”

“Why just for you?” he says dryly. “My boyfriend is a professional bartender. Why not create a place where he can mix cocktails for me?”

For a moment, I see it in front of me: Aden sitting at a bar stool, while I mix a cocktail or try a new recipe to have him test it for me. “That would actually be nice,” I admit.

“See.” Aden squeezes my arm. “Don’t always say no immediately when I suggest something.”

I know he is right. I have a tendency of shooting him down when he offers something that looks like it benefits me morethan him. It was the same when he offered to hire a lawyer for me. It’s hard for me to accept help, even from those I love, but I am starting to understand that it doesn’t mean I am weak when I accept help. I don’t need to do everything on my own, and sometimes people want to do things for me because they love me.

Ster and Mateo always tried to help, as well. They both wanted me to move in with them instead of staying at my crappy apartment, but I was too stubborn and too prideful to accept their help. Good thing they never grew tired of me because damn, I sound exhausting as fuck.

twenty-eight

*NOEL*

“Aden forgot to mention that he used this place to dump everything he doesn’t need anymore,” Lynn grumbles. “When he mentioned decluttering the attic, I thought it would just be the old drawings, painting utensils, and his former work that he had here.”

I chuckle. “Well, it was unused space, so I can see why he wanted to use it to store stuff.”

“Yeah, yeah, go and defend your husband,” she mutters.

“Husband?” I squeal. “Lynn, we are not that far advanced!”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if you two go on a vacation tomorrow and come back married,” she points out. “Pretty much aligns with what you both would do. Don’t you think so?”

I tap my nose thoughtfully. “Maybe. I could see it happen under certain circumstances,” I groan. “Aden needs to put a stop to my impulsiveness, not support it even more.”

Lynn laughs. “Aden is a romantic at heart,” she says. “I think all artists have that side.”

“I don’t know. I don’t think Ster does.”

“Sterling?” she smiles. “I think if Sterling sets his mind to something, he would absolutely see it through, even if others would deem it as too fast, too illogical, or not thought through well enough. Don’t you think so? He seems like a guy who goes with his intuition.”

I frown. “I hate that you have a point, but we still can’t make it an artist’s thing. It’s too much of a cliché.”

“Well, Aden and Sterling share that sentiment,” she says. “So, that’s enough for me to know what I need to know.”

She takes the bottle of wine she brought along and pours us both a glass. “Look,” she says, revealing some canvas. “That was when Aden was experimenting with landscapes.”

I gape at the paintings. “My god, he is good!”

She chuckles at my surprise. “How do you think he made a name for himself? Aden is a genius, a very rare talent. I am glad he picked up drawing again.”

“I wish I’d have known him when he was still experimenting with art,” I admit.

“I believe you met him exactly at the time that was right for you both,” she points out. “He was ready to give love a second chance, and you…”

“I guess I was ready to give love a chance, in general. It was the first time for me to allow myself to fall in love.”