CHAPTER ONE
Los Angeles, California
Alex Webb stood alone in one corner of the upscale gallery’s main exhibit space, sipping from her glass of complementary champagne. Walls of deep crimson surrounded her on all sides, while gorgeously stained, basketweave parquet flooring kissed the soles of her red-bottomed heels.
Butterflies danced with her wild and unruly nerves as she scanned the many faces filling the large, open room. Disappointment struck when the one man she’d traveled across the country to see was still nowhere to be found.
He’s here, somewhere. You just need to be patient.
She took another sip.
Apparently her inner voice failed to remember patience wasn’t exactly Alex’s strong suit. Especiallywhen the next stage of her career could very-well hinge on the conversation she was hoping to have.
Gordan Crawford was one of the most recognizable names in her world, and the guy’s word was as golden as Midas’ touch. Whether it be contemporary, abstract, modern, or one of the other countless styles of art, it didn’t matter. What Gordan wanted for his world-famous gallery, he got.
Those lucky enough to be chosen as one of his showcased artists were all but guaranteed to become a resounding, overnight success. Hence, the decision to book a last-minute flight from Charlotte to L.A.
It was a no-brainer, really. The unexpected invitation to tonight’s event had been impossible to resist. All she had to do now was find the man of the hour and somehow convince him that at least one of her paintings was worthy of a hook on his walls.
Gee, is that all?
“Hors d'oeuvres?”
Alex abandoned the designer-labeled crowd to face a young woman holding a tray of various, bite-sized goodies. “I’m fine but thank you.” She sent the pretty blonde a quick smile.
With a polite nod and a timid grin, the server moved on to a small group gathered around a nearby sculpture. The little black dress she wore fit her youthful figure like a glove.
A very tight, very skimpy glove a girl her age should not be wearing.
Alex looked away, suddenly feeling far older than her thirty-four years.
This was Los Angeles. Skimpy dresses and beautifulyoung servers were probably par for the course. Besides, she wasn’t here to critique the catering staff’s uniforms. She was here for other reasons.
Two minutes.
That was all she needed. Two minutes of Gordan Crawford’s time.
It was a long shot, given the man’s elevated status. But just the week before, Alex had thought the same about meeting the legend himself.
Now here she was, standing inhisgallery and drinking champagne that probably cost more than her high-priced shoes. And since he’d personally asked her to attend his party . . .
Gordan wouldn’t have invited you if he didn’t want you here.
She drew in a deep breath, taking another sizeable swallow of bubbly in an attempt to calm her nerves. She glanced through the sea of other artists in attendance. None were known to her before tonight, but a few had introduced themselves when she first arrived.
Rich. Beautiful. Obvious pretention they’d attempted to hide so cleverly in their so-called friendly smiles. A simple glance her way from over their turned-up noses was all it took to send Alex’s insecurities into a frenzy.
Imposter syndrome was a nagging bitch who couldn’t seem to wait to make her appearance. Mostly on nights like tonight. Important moments when Alex needed to be at her best.
And she would be, for a while.
Until later, when the uncertainty of her worth wouldset in. Take now, for example. She was in a corner of Gordan’s gallery, and she was standing alone.
It was clear from the start that many of the other guests knew each other before tonight’s event. She’d watched them closely, noticing the way they perused the gorgeous space as if they, themselves, owned the place.
You have just as much right to be here as they do.
Alex had been telling herself that very same thing from the moment she’d first walked through the door. Oh, on the outside, it probably looked as if she were filled to the rim with bursting confidence. But what they couldn’t see, what she worked damn hard to conceal from everyone around her, was that on the inside she felt like a total fraud.
