Read The Masterpiece (Work of Art #3) for Free Online

possibilities.
    “The Eiffel Tower?” I ask, as I turn it gently between my fingertips.
    “There’s more…Look under the cotton.”
    I lift up the white fluff and underneath is some type of certificate. Upon closer examination, I realize it’s a voucher for two plane tickets to Paris.
    “Paris? We’re going to Paris?” I squeal softly, trying to keep my voice down.
    He nods. “I thought in the fall. It’s such a nice time to be there. You’ll love it. I can’t wait to show you my favorite places.”
    “Oh, my God, Max, this is a dream come true.” I throw my arms around him, and for a blissful moment, I forget the worries of my job and how Adam will take the news of a vacation on top of all the work I’ve missed.
    Right now, I can’t care. I just want to soak in the image of Max and me walking along the Seine or sitting in a little outdoor café watching the world go by. I thank him with my kisses over and over until we have to part to breathe again.
    With my next thought, though, my eyes darken and Max notices. “What? Is there something wrong?”
    I laugh at my problem. “Max, I’ll never be able to keep up when your birthday comes around. This is so over the top.”
    “You know I don’t care about stuff, Ava. Just wrap yourself in a big bow. You’re all I want.”
    “That can be arranged.”
    “See, that wasn’t so hard.” He kisses me again and then motions to the waiter to bring the check.
    “We have to go change now. I booked us massages.”
    I look at him with a stunned smile. He really did think of everything
.
    The spa is just a short stroll down the garden path, so we wear our white terry robes and slippers to our appointment. Max has booked a husband and wife massage team, so I don’t get jealous about some strange woman rubbing hot oil all over his delectable body. I appreciate his gesture more than he knows, as I doubt I’d be able to relax while that was happening.
    The next ninety minutes are pure bliss as every part of my body is kneaded and rubbed until I’m a quivering pile of happy.
    When we finally leave the spa, I can’t even walk straight as we go back to our room. I’m so happily spent and hope he’s planning on room service, because I doubt I can drum up the motivation to go out. I curl up on the bed as he showers.
    When he finishes, he comes into the bedroom to dress. “It took forever to get all that oil off me. I’m just warning you, step into the shower carefully or you’ll find yourself on your ass.” He puts on slacks and a sweater.
    “Thanks for the warning.” I laugh. “What time is it anyway?”
    “Six thirty. We have dinner reservations at eight. I thought we could have a drink on the patio first.”
    He must’ve turned his phone back on because he gets a text. He reads it and replies while I walk to the bathroom.
    I get my second wind in the shower and pull myself together. Max smiles when he sees I’m wearing the navy dress I wore on one of our first dinners after returning home from Santa Fe. I remember he liked how it hugged my curves. He helps me put my necklace on again and we head out the door.
    When we turn the corner of the patio, I find my final birthday present of the evening. Gathered around a large table are Riley and Dylan, Katherine and Adam, Brian and Thomas, and Jess and Laura. And they all grin expectantly, waiting for my reaction to the surprise. I turn in shock to Max.
    “You arranged all this and kept it secret?”
    He nods and watches me carefully. His eyebrows are arched and his lips are pressed together, like he’s holding back a grin.
    I wrap my arms around him tightly. “Thank you, Max. This is the perfect birthday. You’ve made every part of it special.” I kiss him, and as I pull away his expression lights up the entire patio.
    Jess gets up and steps toward us first. “Look at you two! You’re sickeningly sweet.”
    “She means that in the best way,” Laura says.
    Brian grabs me next and gives me a big hug.