Midnight in Manhattan

e tenth time. Her hands shook as she checked h

whispered to herself.

night. Tonight would ma

mpagne while men in thousand-dollar suits discussed art they probably didn't understan

ed toward her. "The Times critic just arr

ded. "Of

pounded against her ribs. Three months ago, she'd been serving coffee in Bro

s cast warm light over priceless paintings. Laughte

she sa

ore a charcoal suit that probably cost more than her rent. His dark hai

walking toward him.

l, isn't it?"

deepest green she'd ever seen. Sharp cheekbones, st

ed. His voice was smooth, cultured. "The a

t's

dden in

e looked at the painting and s

good tas

ended his hand.

driguez.

orward. The champagne glass flew from her hand, sendi

nearby table. "I can't believe I just, This is you

s voice was cal

ve somewhere important to be, and n

He caught her wris

smiling now. A real smile th

"But I've never had champagne thrown

u know I'm

ky g

hrough the noise. "Emm

tood with three important-looking

id. "Again, I'm really

He pulled out his phon

a! N

sterious Mr. Stone standing alon

were just talking to?" Vi

back. Mr. S

cidentally spilled champagne

ted from anger to somethin

Alexande

rugged.

e owns this building. He owns half of Manhattan.

med to tilt.

agne on... Oh no

ly did you

ve. Then I called him passionate about art."

for a long moment

nk you might hav

do you

answer, her assistant

He wants to schedule a private viewing tomorrow. He

mouth f

, well. It seems you ma

atted with critics, and explained paintings. But her mind

was crisp, clearing her head. She'd survived her first major exhibition. Bet

uzzed. Unkn

le evening. Looking forw

message. How had he

assistant taking her phone earl

the space of one evening, her entire life had changed. She'd gone

the feeling that she was being watched. She turned arou

black car sat parked across the street, engine ru

ckened h

r three blocks before d

ad convinced herself she was being paranoid.

to her fourth-floor walkup,

e known she was a cura