The Artist (The Game Changers #2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

from me, eyeing my cashmere sweater, ankle pants, and loafers.
    “Interesting color choice, Kitty.”
    “It’s in my palette, Mom. Don’t be rude.”
    She clasped her hands on her lap. “Fine. How was the gallery showing?”
    “Good. We’re having lunch next week with Dad. She seems a little clueless but receptive.”
    My mother pursed her lips. “New money…your father will handle it. She’ll be a millionaire in no time.”
    I laughed. “I don’t think she’ll need Dad for that. You should see her work.”
    “She may not need him to make her first million, but she’ll need him to help her keep it. New money never knows how to manage such assets.” She turned her head to face me. “Enough about Miss Withers, though. We have more important matters to discuss.”
    A hundred bucks says she was referring to my love life. “Oh?” I asked without turning toward her. Instead, I turned my head to watch the traffic pass us by.
    “We need to find an eligible suitor for you.” Yes…she really talked like that. Eligible suitor? Did you know that arranged marriages were all the rage these days? Women like me simply could not pick their own husbands by dating like a normal person. Leaving a girl to her own devices? Now, that would be a travesty.
    “Mother, I can find my own husband, if you give me the chance.”
    “Don’t be silly, Kitty. I’m not going to interfere. I am simply trying to introduce you to eligible men who are worthy of your attention.” Oh, great. I couldn’t wait for her to “not interfere.”
    “It isn’t just the two of us for lunch, is it?”
    “No, dear. Edward Nichols will be meeting us there. He’s an attorney from New York who just joined your father’s firm. He’s dashing and unattached.”
    “Dashing and unattached. What’s wrong with him?” I asked, even though I didn’t really want to know anything about this man.
    “You know how attorneys are. They’re married to their job until they make it big. He hasn’t had time to settle down.”
    “Sure.”
    I didn’t get to say anything else because we arrived at the restaurant and Charles was quickly at my door. My mother and I were guided from the lobby to a table where a very attractive man sat with a scotch and his Blackberry. He stood when he saw us approaching. His manners were impeccable as he greeted my mother warmly.
    “And you must be Kitty,” he said as he kissed my cheek softly.
    “Nice to meet you, Mr. Nichols,” I said as he held my hands in his. Everything about him was too soft, too polished, too manicured. He was nothing like Maverick. I shook that thought from my head immediately. Maverick was not someone I needed to be thinking about as I sat down with my mother and potential suitor. Yes, I rolled my eyes at that thought.
    “Please, call me Ward. My father was Mr. Nichols, and it makes me feel old.” Now that he mentioned it, I wondered how old this man was. I was guessing late thirties but with how manicured he was, he could be over forty. He was obviously prematurely gray, because his skin was smooth and wrinkle-free. Not even a frown line on his forehead, and I doubted he was going for Botox every three months.
    “I’m so glad you could find time to make it out to Seattle, Edward. I hope my husband isn’t keeping you too busy, and you can find some time for fun,” my mother said as Ward held my chair for me while the host did the same for my mother. Her use of his formal name didn’t surprise me. Even though she called me Kitty, she called all others by their formal names. I had never been afforded that sign of respect and had stopped wondering why years ago.
    “Well, he allowed me out long enough to meet with you two lovely ladies, didn’t he?” Oh, he’s a charmer too. Great…
    I smiled politely at his lame comment. My mother gave a fake giggle and said, “I have no doubt he will let you out to play with our Kitty more often while you’re here.” How could my own mother make something