Read Online His Work of Art by Shannyn Schroeder - Free Book Online Page A

Adam, Julie.”
    Reese turned and looked at Adam, who smiled at Julie before taking her hand. She didn’t miss the appreciative sweep of his gaze over Julie’s body. A twinge of jealousy poked her chest. Hadn’t she just convinced herself that Adam was good to have as a friend? So what if he was attracted to Julie?
    At least she understood why. Reese just wasn’t his type. She turned away and grabbed the pages off the desk. “Here it is.”
    She held the stack out to Julie, who accepted it, but instead of putting it away in her bag, she laid it out on the counter. “This is really good work, guys. Not that I’m an expert in comics or anything.”
    â€œWhat are you an expert in?” Adam asked.
    Julie turned her brilliant smile on Adam. “While I love English, I knew there wouldn’t be enough money in it for me, so I turned to computers. I’m your publisher.”
    Adam nodded, but he didn’t look convinced that Julie knew what she was talking about.
    â€œReese, I know you’re doing the marketing end, but I think you need to have a few of these panels for advertising. Like blown up bigger.” She turned to Adam. “Do you have a problem with that?”
    â€œMaking copies of those?”
    â€œNot all of them, but a few key pieces to highlight your work. I’ll choose a few and get started and let you see. Then you’ll have them for marketing and promotion.” She stacked the pages she’d spread out and opened the flap on her light brown leather briefcase to slide them in.
    Anxiety tumbled through Reese’s stomach. That was their only finished copy. Watching someone else handle it, take it away, made her edgy. She released a slow breath. She trusted Julie and knew Julie would get it right, just like Adam had. They were going to be a success.
    â€œNice to meet you, Adam. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other once things get moving along.” Julie pulled her gloves back on. “Want to grab a drink later?” she asked Reese.
    â€œIt’s Thursday.”
    â€œRight. Geek night. I forgot. Give me a call this weekend and we’ll chat.” As she turned toward the door, she winked at Reese and mouthed, “He’s cute.”
    Yeah, Reese already knew that. Too bad he didn’t feel the same.
    After Julie left, Adam asked, “Geek night?”
    Reese’s cheeks flamed. “Uh, yeah. That’s what she calls it. I meet with friends on Thursday nights.”
    â€œI thought you always worked on Thursdays and that’s why you couldn’t meet about the comics. So what are you doing?” He sipped his coffee.
    Reese bit down hard on her lip. She should be able to tell Adam. Of all the people she knew, he should understand. “We meet weekly to play a tabletop RPG.”
    â€œSo you’re a D&D girl.” She heard the smug smile in his voice.
    â€œWe don’t play Dungeons and Dragons. We play Hero’s Crusade.”
    â€œNever heard of it.”
    â€œIt’s the same kind of game as D&D. We meet, we go on missions, we battle.” She reached for her bag and pulled out her notebook.
    For the next two hours, they worked on story, occasionally being interrupted by customers looking for their favorite comics. Some stopped and listened to Adam and Reese discussing plot and characterization before asking for help. Others actually offered input. Useless input, but at least they were showing interest.
    Reese glanced at the clock. “I need to get going.”
    Adam looked at her and asked, “Game time?”
    â€œYeah.” She shoved her notebook into her bag. “If you’re not doing anything tonight, you could join us.”
    As soon the words left her mouth, she regretted them. She shouldn’t assume he’d want to hang out with her more than what they needed to do for the book. Plus, her friends hated when outsiders showed up.
    He seemed to weigh