She nods. “I’ve called him Cupcake, Pound Cake, Bundt Cake, Carrot Cake—you name it.”
I toss my head back and laugh. “That’s amazing. You should add Shortcake to the list.”
“Genius. He’ll hate that one.”
“To answer your question, yes, Avery has been taking art lessons. I’m not sure if he realizes his full potential, but he’s incredibly talented.”
Aarya hums. “Artists usually don’t know the extent of their talent.”
It’s going to be up to me to push him, to show him just how high he should aim for.
She flicks her long, dark hair over her shoulder and folds her arms over her chest. “So, I gotta ask since the kid isn’t here: What’s happening between you and Stephen?”
I slip my hands into the back pockets of my jeans and shrug. “Nothing since college.”
Her dark eyes narrow as her red lips turn up into a smirk. “Doesheknow that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Come on, you know him. Everything he does is balls-to-the-wall, two-hundred-and-ten percent. That’s why they call him Mac—because he hits you like a Mack truck.”
That’s him, alright.
Aarya nudges me with her shoulder. “I’m not good with small-talk. Give me the juicy details.”
I chuckle. She’s honest and to the point. I think I love her.
“I’m sorry to disappoint, but there aren’t any juicy details to give.” My eyes bounce around at the artwork on the nearby walls. “I can’t give Stephen what he wants.”
Aarya tilts her head. “And what does he want?”
“A relationship.”
She’s quiet as she watches me, and doesn’t fill the space with unnecessary chatter.
I gesture to Avery as he wanders around at the far end of the gallery. “I have to focus on the kids. They’ve been through a lot, and they need a stable life and a guardian they can count on. I can’t get thrown into the mix between star hockey players.”
“Hockey players, plural?”
Oh, shit. I swallow. “You know, the life of hockey players in general.”
“I get it. I wasn’t prepared for all of this either. Their lives are so different. All that money; they can do anything they’ve ever dreamed of.”
“Exactly. Their lifestyle isn’t exactly compatible with a single parent living in the suburbs of New Jersey.”
“Mac’s great with kids though.” Aarya smiles, and it seems like she’s recalling a specific memory. “He’s the best uncle to Giuliana, Alex’s kid. He’s got a big-ass mouth, but his heart is even bigger.”
I grin. “He does have a big-ass mouth.”
It’s part of the reason I fell in love with him in college. He says what he feels and doesn’t hide anything or hold back. He’ll never lie, and you always know where he stands. And Aarya’s right—he’s great with kids. He’d be the perfect man to get into a relationship with...if our situation was a simple relationship.
My heart aches, longing for two men I can never be with. Not in this lifetime.
A man appears from one of the hallways to the left. “Aarya, can I see you in my office?”
“Sure, Carter.” Aarya turns her back to him and rolls her eyes. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to go. Make sure you see me before you guys leave.”
I step toward her with my arms out, but she holds up her hands and backs away. “Oh, I don’t do hugs.”