The Inspiration Read Online Free PDF Page B

sharply defined jaw. “You didn’t reply to my text, Ava.”
    “You were expecting a reply?”
    If he only knew what I was doing when he sent that text,
I think, half amused, half horrified.
    He raises his eyebrow, but Parker, the owner of ArteHaus, interrupts and apologizes as he pulls Max away.
    Joe grins. “Ha! I like you, Ava. You’re the first girl I’ve seen in a while not falling all over Max and trying to get in his pants, with the exception of Jess and her girl-power posse.”
    We move to the bar for another round of shots, and I only take a half shot, intending to keep my wits about me. We push through the crowd, looking for Jess, and spot her near the back of the gallery. Laura sits at a cocktail table while Jess talks animatedly to a handsome man wearing professorial glasses and a tailored suit.
    Jess waves us over. “Jonathan, I believe you know Joe, and this is my good friend, Ava Jacobs. She works for Adam.”
    The man gazes at me, and he doesn’t even glance at Joe.
    “Ava, Jonathan’s the publisher of
Art+trA
magazine,” Jess says.
    Impressive.
My eyes widen as I smile warmly at him.
    Jonathan steps toward me, and stretches out his hand. “Ava,” he says softly as he slowly shakes my hand. His hand is strong, but his touch is almost a caress.
    “Hey, Ava. Laura’s been up since five, and she has an early shoot again tomorrow. I think we’re going to call it a night. Do you want to hang out more or share a cab back with us?” Jess asks.
    I hesitate. I want to stick with Jess, but I’ve always wanted to write for
Art+trA,
and who knows when I’ll have this chance again.
    “I can get a cab for Ava,” Jonathan says.
    I look up, surprised.
He must want to talk to me,
I think excitedly. He’s not just handsome; his presence has an alluring sense of command.
    “That’s fine, Jess. I’ll stay for a while.”
    Joe walks Jess and Laura out, leaving me alone with Jonathan. I feel very awkward, fearing this sophisticated man is out of my league. Can I hold my own with him in a discussion about art?
    He turns to me and pushes his glasses up his nose before tipping his head.
    “So Ava, what do you do for Adam?”
    “A little of everything. I started out in the serigraph studio, but now I help in the gallery with clients. I particularly enjoy working with the artists and assisting them.”
    “Which area are you most interested in?”
    “Actually, my real love is writing. So Adam’s been having me handle some of the publicity writing, much to the chagrin of his PR agency.”
    “I can imagine,” Jonathan says with a low laugh. “But Adam must really like your work.” He pauses, and then addresses me with a professional tone. “If you’re interested, why don’t you send me some samples? There may be an opportunity at
Art+trA
, but only if Adam lets you freelance. I wouldn’t want to upset him. He’s an old friend.”
    My heart starts thumping with excitement, but I play it cool. “Actually, Adam encourages me to expand my horizons. He and Katherine are both generous that way.” I step sideways to clear space for a waiter to pass. “I was under the impression that
Art+trA
was in New York.”
    “Our parent publisher is there, but we’ve always maintained a West Coast office. About five years ago, I decided to move to Los Angeles for personal reasons, so they accommodated my relocation. Although, I still end up spending a week a month in New York.”
    I nod, feeling encouraged that he’s in L.A. I study his cheekbones and the way his eyes light up when he smiles at me. I realize that it’s the first time I’ve felt this attracted to an older man. My mind races for the right question to ask.
    “Do you like Caswell’s work?”
    “I’d like to hear what you think.”
    He’s testing me and I don’t want to disappoint him.
    I clear my throat, gathering my courage and my thoughts. “You know, I wasn’t a big fan of the subway series he did last year. The monotone pallet lacked the