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

“Happy birthday, cutie.”
    “I can’t believe this,” I say, as I brush a tear out of my eye.
    “I’ve got to hand it to your man. It took a lot of coordinating to get this all figured out, but he was relentless.”
    I look at Max and he shrugs with a crooked grin.
    Even Adam looks impressed with Max and shakes his hand warmly before kissing me on the cheek. “Happy birthday, Ava!”
    “You look amazing, sweetheart,” Katherine adds.
    I point at Riley as she finally works her way over. “You knew and didn’t leak a word about it! What happened to the girl who could never keep a secret?” I tease.
    “And deal with the wrath of Mr. Caswell? No thanks!” She winks at Max as Dylan gives me a hug.
    We finally settle down into our seats and I let my gaze take in this group of friends—my true family. As the champagne flows, they toast me with words of love and well wishes, and I know, without a doubt, I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

Chapter Four / El Hombre de mis Sueños
    There are things known and there are things unknown,

and in between are the doors of perception.
    ~Aldous Huxley
    G uess who’s looking for you?” Adam asks, when Brian and I come back from lunch.
    “Who?”
    “Max’s father.”
    “Really? Did he say what he wanted?”
    “Oh, he said all kinds of things. He tried to get me to spill about you and Max, but I told him he should talk to you.” He hands me a Post-it Note. “Here’s his number, in case you didn’t save it. He hasn’t changed a bit.” He shakes his head, smiling.
    This time I only have to wait a moment until he picks up the line.
    “Is this the beautiful Ava?” Is his phone voice always this loud and confident?
    “Mr. Caswell, I hear you’re looking for me.”
    “You admitted you were pretty last time, my dear, but you didn’t tell me you’re gorgeous!”
    “Excuse me?”
    “I saw your video…the one where you’re interviewing my son. One of my guys did postproduction on it, and when he realized who the subject was, he brought it to me.”
    “I see. Well, what’d you think of it?”
    “You’re a looker. My son always did have good taste in women. We do have a few things in common, you know.”
    I smile to myself.
This guy has a one-track mind.
“No, I mean what did you think of the interview?”
    “You’re a natural…but I assumed you were a lady of many talents. As for Max, you made him look really good. I hope he appreciates you.”
    “Thank you for the compliment. Max does appreciate me.”
    “Well, he’s obviously in love with you. But I want to know if you’re in love with him.”
    “A good player doesn’t show all her cards at once…does she, Mr. Caswell?”
    He whistles low into the receiver.
    “If that’s how we’re going to roll, then let the games begin. I’ll be expecting you and Max for lunch Saturday at the Polo Lounge. My girl Sarina will call you with the details. I think it’s time my son and I call a truce, and I think you’ve got the skills to facilitate that.”
    “Considering that you haven’t met me, you certainly have a lot of blind faith in my abilities.”
    “Following my gut about people and their talents is how I became who I am in this business, Miss Ava. And you, my dear, seem to be the Henry Kissinger of the heart. I’m sure of it. Last time we talked, the asshole had gone off the deep end and run away. From the way he looked on the video, he’d pulled himself together very nicely. I sense you had a big hand in that.”
    “Well, thank you. Honestly, I’d like to see the two of you be closer.”
    “Hell, I know I have been a disappointment to him…He has a long list of reasons why he doesn’t want a relationship with me, but I’m not getting any younger, and what’s the point of keeping this up? I think we should both man up and let go of the past. Look, if anyone can get my son and me talking again, it’s you.”
    “Well, I can try,” I agree nervously. “My first suggestion is that you not