Ava's Wishes Read Online Free Page A

practically bounced into the gallery wearing a tight fitting, low cut, and very short, sparkly purple dress.
    Where exactly were they going for that drink, a strip club? Not to mention the fact that it was December. Wasn’t Carly freezing? Ava was feeling completely and inadequately under-dressed in her blue sweater and black pants, until she noticed Thomas giving Carly a strange look that resembled a stifled laugh. Ava had to admit; Carly did look pretty ridiculous in that get up.
    “Right,” he said. “Well, Cynthia, I’ve got those extra postcards you’ve asked for, as well as business cards, and some other miscellaneous promotional items here. Also, the photos for the opening will be delivered in the next day or so. I can see my exhibit is in very capable hands.” Thomas nodded to Ava and smiled. “I was going to see if you and Cynthia wanted to join me for a late cocktail, but it seems as if you maybe have other plans?” Thomas looked at Carly with that weird stifled laugh look once again.
    “Oh, Thomas, darling,” Cynthia replied with a sigh. “Can we make another time? I’m afraid I must get my beauty sleep tonight. It’s been a very long day, and tomorrow it seems I’m not going to have my star intern with me to help in the gallery.” Cynthia lightly touched Ava on the shoulder and smiled.
    “Ah, big plans this weekend?” Thomas asked, looking at Ava.
    “Oh,” Ava answered. Why did his questions make her so uncomfortable? “No, I’ve just got to study. I’ve got final exams coming up this week.”
    “Yes, I remember those days. I’m not as old as I look you know,” he said, winking.
    Ava wondered exactly how old he was. If she had to guess, she’d say he was in his early forties. “You don’t look old at all. I mean …” She laughed nervously, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.
    “What she means is that there’s no reason you can’t come out with us tonight! We were just going out for a drink. Isn’t that right, Ava?” Carly blurted.
     
     
    Chapter 6
     
    “What?” Carly looked at Ava from across the table as she waited for her drink to arrive.
    Ava stopped glaring at Carly long enough to look around the crowded bar before she started talking. They were lucky to get a table at The Corner Spot that night. Friday nights at eleven o’clock was one of The Spot’s busiest times, especially when school was in session. Securing the table was a major score. Thomas had ordered the first round of drinks and promptly excused himself to make a quick phone call outside.
    “Well, let me see now. First you come to the gallery looking like you forgot to put on half of your outfit—”
    “You don’t like my dress?” Carly innocently asked.
    “You look like a glitter factory exploded on you! And you … um, forgot to cover some important parts,” Ava said. She knew she was being a bit rude and overly dramatic, but she was sick of Carly’s antics.
    Carly opened her mouth as if she were about to speak, but shut it as the drinks were delivered to the table.
    “Then,” Ava continued once the waitress left, “you invited my client out with us for a drink. And not just anywhere, mind you. You invited him to The Spot. My spot.”
    “For the record,” Carly retorted, “he invited us out first.”
    “Correction,” Ava said. “He invited Cynthia and me out—for a business drink—and Cynthia declined, remember? Nowhere in there did he extend the invitation to you.”
    “Well, he was looking at you the entire time he was asking, so just because Cynthia said no, there was no reason you couldn’t go. He knew we already had plans, so I just assumed I was part of the deal. And what’s wrong with coming to The Spot?”
    “Because this is where we all come, as students, to unwind. It’s our hangout, our spot. You know … where I don’t need to be Ava Haines, assistant to Cynthia Simms of the Main Street Gallery. Suddenly this has become a social drink, not a business drink.”
    “And