Read Online Work of Art ~ the Collection by Ruth Clampett - Free Book Online Page A

abundantly clear.”
    I realize I shouldn’t be listening. I turn away and focus on the almost-empty bar, but it’s early for this crowd. In the corner I notice a striking young couple huddled together. They’re laughing, and he kisses her gently. It’s like they’re in their own bubble, and I feel a pang for that all-consuming love.
    Jonathan pulls his chair forward. “I’ll call you later, but right now I’m turning my phone off,” he states firmly. As he shuts his phone down, he looks up and smiles.
    “Now where were we?”
    We go through the pleasantries of discussing the exposition, and he tells me some of his plans for an upcoming issue of Art+trA . We order martinis and, after they arrive, he brings up the project.
    “So, Ava, do you remember our conversation at Max’s opening in New York when I mentioned a plan for a coffee-table book about his work?”
    “Yes.” I feel apprehensive about where this is going.
    “Well, after stalling, the project has been given the green light again, and Taylor and Tiden Press wants it out in time to correspond with Max’s big show in Barcelona in early fall. The scans of the art were completed a while ago, and most of the layout is done, but the copy still needs to be written,” he says with a smile. “And that’s where you come in.”
    “Me? How would I be involved?” I’m confused, knowing this is a huge project.
    He tilts his chin up and levels his penetrating gaze on me. “We want you to write it.”
    I fight to keep my mouth from falling open. He can’t be serious. I struggle to get my bearings as a flush moves up my neck. “Don’t get me wrong Mr. Alistair—”
    “Oh, please call me Jonathan,” he interrupts.
    “Well, Jonathan, I’d love more than anything to work with you and write for Art+trA, or any other publication you see fit. But write the copy for a coffee-table book? That seems rather ambitious.”
    My mind’s reeling. Part of me is getting excited, even though I know I shouldn’t be. “I mean, you must understand—this is a huge opportunity. It’d be a dream come true.”
    He leans forward with his elbow on the table and rests his chin in his hand. The intensity of his look is unnerving.
    “Can I ask one question?” I ask.
    He raises his eyebrows and nods.
    “Why me?”
    “I have to be honest. I have my reservations as well. This is a big undertaking, and it’s an important job; you were requested by the artist.”
    “Max.” I take a sharp breath.
    “Let me correct myself . . . He didn’t request you—he insisted. He said it was the only way he would let the book be published.”
    “Why on earth would he do that?” I ask, baffled.
    “That’s exactly what I’d like to know. I hope you don’t mind, but I have to ask . . . Are you intimately involved with Max?”
    “No! We barely know each other.”
    Jonathan looks relieved, and I wonder if the look in his eyes could be about something other than Max. He leans back in his chair.
    “That’s good. I’m sure you can understand why. Max’s very volatile, and what if you had a personal conflict in the middle of the project?”
    “No worries there,” I assure him.
    “Good. I will say Max has always had a particular point of view about this book that makes his recommendation of you relevant and, possibly, very strategic. He knows a large portion of his collector-base is younger people, newer to the art market. Consequently, he wants his book to have a young, fresh point of view. As you must know, so many of the art books are written by longtime academics, who tend to pontificate to sound impressive.”
    I smile broadly. “Well, that’s encouraging to hear. I’ll definitely be young and fresh.”
    He nods. “I don’t want you to worry. I’ll make myself completely available as you work, and I’ll assign you to a top-notch editor to help as well. It’s of my utmost interest that you succeed spectacularly.”
    I study him for a moment and wonder how he really feels