Amsterdam, the Vatican Museum in Rome, and of course our own Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.”
Ava sat back in her seat, arms crossed, unimpressed. Okay, so he knew the names of the biggest art museums around the world. Big deal. Most people could rattle off those. He still didn’t answer the question. “So they’re all your favorite?” she asked.
“They’re all amazing. But my favorite? That belongs to the Musée de l’Orangerie.”
“In Paris,” Ava added, now more intrigued by this person sitting across from her. “Interesting choice.”
Max leaned across the table, and Ava swore she saw a sparkle in his eye as he began to talk … well, gush was more like it. “Monet’s paintings there are spectacular ... and enormous, like nothing you will see in any of his other pieces. The rooms where the Water Lilies are housed are oval shaped, and the paintings are made up of massive panels set around in the ovals, completely surrounding you. Everywhere you look in the room, you are pulled into his scenery; it is a masterpiece of pure beauty and tranquility. I could sit there for hours.”
“Wow,” Ava replied, feeling her breathing beginning to slow with each of his words.
“You really get a sense of the emotion Monet must have been feeling as he painted his gardens. The way he captured the change in the natural light was just …” Max shuddered slightly and shook his head, as if trying to bring himself back into the present. “Oh, I must sound like a complete dork talking like that about a bunch of paintings … of flowers no less.”
Ava smiled. She suddenly no longer felt the need to be on guard anymore. Even if Max was making it all up, he went through a lot of trouble to learn about Ava’s favorite paintings, by her favorite artist, in her favorite museum. Not that she had ever been there, but given the choice to visit just one museum in the entire world, Ava would choose the Musée de l’Orangerie, hands down. “No, I’ve always wanted to go to Paris and to the Musée de l’Orangerie.”
“I hope one day you get to go,” Max replied. He looked around the restaurant, as if unsure of what to say next. “So, we should probably get going. I’m meeting Megan at 8 a.m. for tutoring.”
“Oh.” Ava wished the mention of her name didn’t have to have such a negative effect on her evening. Max was there with her, tonight, not Megan—she was just a tutor. Of course, Max was just Ava’s tutor also. Did she want more? Yes. No. She wasn’t sure. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so focused on my own exam. You’ve spent so much time helping me. I really appreciate it.”
Max signaled for the check when the waitress walked by. “It’s fine. I’m happy to help you. I have my afternoon free tomorrow. Do you want to get in some more study time?”
“That would be great. Thanks.”
Max snatched the check out of the waitress’ hand before Ava could grab it.
“Hey! I’m supposed to pay, remember? To thank you for tutoring?”
“You can get the next one,” Max replied.
“So there’s going to be a next one, huh?” Ava asked playfully.
Max waved the check in front of Ava’s face and smiled. “There is now, but only if you get all of your problems right tomorrow.”
“Oh, I’m going to get them right, don’t you worry. And I’m going to pay for dinner next time, too … got it?”
“Yes, ma’am. You sure are cute when you’re bossy, did you know that? Come on. I’ll walk you home.”
Chapter 16
Ava excused herself to use the restroom before they left. The walk back to Ava’s apartment was only a couple blocks, but Ava needed a few minutes to regroup and get advice. She considered texting Carly, but knew that would probably only end in disaster. Instead, she called Holly.
“Holly? Can you hear me?” Ava asked when she heard the familiar voice pick up. Ava tried to keep her voice down as she wasn’t sure who else, if anyone, was also in the bathroom.
Ava sat back in her seat, arms crossed, unimpressed. Okay, so he knew the names of the biggest art museums around the world. Big deal. Most people could rattle off those. He still didn’t answer the question. “So they’re all your favorite?” she asked.
“They’re all amazing. But my favorite? That belongs to the Musée de l’Orangerie.”
“In Paris,” Ava added, now more intrigued by this person sitting across from her. “Interesting choice.”
Max leaned across the table, and Ava swore she saw a sparkle in his eye as he began to talk … well, gush was more like it. “Monet’s paintings there are spectacular ... and enormous, like nothing you will see in any of his other pieces. The rooms where the Water Lilies are housed are oval shaped, and the paintings are made up of massive panels set around in the ovals, completely surrounding you. Everywhere you look in the room, you are pulled into his scenery; it is a masterpiece of pure beauty and tranquility. I could sit there for hours.”
“Wow,” Ava replied, feeling her breathing beginning to slow with each of his words.
“You really get a sense of the emotion Monet must have been feeling as he painted his gardens. The way he captured the change in the natural light was just …” Max shuddered slightly and shook his head, as if trying to bring himself back into the present. “Oh, I must sound like a complete dork talking like that about a bunch of paintings … of flowers no less.”
Ava smiled. She suddenly no longer felt the need to be on guard anymore. Even if Max was making it all up, he went through a lot of trouble to learn about Ava’s favorite paintings, by her favorite artist, in her favorite museum. Not that she had ever been there, but given the choice to visit just one museum in the entire world, Ava would choose the Musée de l’Orangerie, hands down. “No, I’ve always wanted to go to Paris and to the Musée de l’Orangerie.”
“I hope one day you get to go,” Max replied. He looked around the restaurant, as if unsure of what to say next. “So, we should probably get going. I’m meeting Megan at 8 a.m. for tutoring.”
“Oh.” Ava wished the mention of her name didn’t have to have such a negative effect on her evening. Max was there with her, tonight, not Megan—she was just a tutor. Of course, Max was just Ava’s tutor also. Did she want more? Yes. No. She wasn’t sure. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so focused on my own exam. You’ve spent so much time helping me. I really appreciate it.”
Max signaled for the check when the waitress walked by. “It’s fine. I’m happy to help you. I have my afternoon free tomorrow. Do you want to get in some more study time?”
“That would be great. Thanks.”
Max snatched the check out of the waitress’ hand before Ava could grab it.
“Hey! I’m supposed to pay, remember? To thank you for tutoring?”
“You can get the next one,” Max replied.
“So there’s going to be a next one, huh?” Ava asked playfully.
Max waved the check in front of Ava’s face and smiled. “There is now, but only if you get all of your problems right tomorrow.”
“Oh, I’m going to get them right, don’t you worry. And I’m going to pay for dinner next time, too … got it?”
“Yes, ma’am. You sure are cute when you’re bossy, did you know that? Come on. I’ll walk you home.”
Chapter 16
Ava excused herself to use the restroom before they left. The walk back to Ava’s apartment was only a couple blocks, but Ava needed a few minutes to regroup and get advice. She considered texting Carly, but knew that would probably only end in disaster. Instead, she called Holly.
“Holly? Can you hear me?” Ava asked when she heard the familiar voice pick up. Ava tried to keep her voice down as she wasn’t sure who else, if anyone, was also in the bathroom.
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