Greg shoots her an annoyed look, then looks at me. “I’m Greg and I’m an accounting major. I’m in charge of the allocation of funds for the program.”
Before Wendy even speaks, I realize what the foundation has done. It’s ingenious.
Lexi flashes an encouraging smile at Wendy before she speaks. “I’m Wendy, and I’m a senior getting a marketing degree. Last summer I interned for a firm in Memphis that worked on a local nonprofit campaign. Our timing for this particular event is pretty tight, but I think we have time to throw something together before the show next month.”
Renee is next, but her mouth gaps before she sits up, her attitude changed after hearing the other student’s potential. “I’m Renee, a senior in fashion design. I’ve modeled in the past and have connections to several girls in the school who have modeled and will probably volunteer their time.”
Megan smiles, full of enthusiasm. “I’m Megan, also a senior design student. I’m great at time management and I know some photography students who are interested in shooting the show for their portfolios. I’m sure we can get them to take some preshow photos to use for publicity.”
It’s now my turn and although I’m bursting with excitement, I’m now at a loss as to what to list for the attributes I bring to the table. I can’t tell them all that Ms. Carter suggested me because of my peacemaking abilities. “Uh … I’m Caroline and I’m a senior majoring in fashion design.”
I was the one who suggested this exercise, but I hadn’t planned on everyone presenting such vital roles to organizing the show. Anything I say at this point will sound lame, but I have to say something.
“I’m great at organizing and I work well in groups.” Really? That’s all I can come up with ? “I’m looking forward to being part of combining the practicality of the business department with the creativity of the design department.” I look around the table. “Perhaps we should appoint someone to be in charge and keep us on task?”
Greg’s upper lip curls into a sneer. “And I suppose that person should be you?”
My shoulders stiffen. “Well, no … but we need….”
“We already have a chairman.” Lexi looks up from the phone in her hand. “He was sent to the wrong location too, but he’s here now. In fact, he should walk in the door at any moment.”
As if on cue, the door opens, and I hide my surprise at who walks in the door.
Reed Pendergraft.
Chapter Five
Why is a mathematics grad student in charge of a committee consisting of business and fashion design majors?
Reed’s forehead burrows when he enters the room. He shuts the door behind him and places his hand on the back of the seat at the head of the table. With his white dress shirt, blue tie, gray dress pants, and loafers, he looks like a CEO of a company, not a mathematics grad student. His no-nonsense attitude clinches it.
“Who was in charge of the room allocation?” His eyes scan the people sitting at the table then land on me. He hides his surprise well, one moment of hesitation before his attitude returns.
I suppose he expects me to answer since he’s still looking at me, his eyebrows sinking even lower.
“It was a simple misunderstanding, Reed,” Lexi murmurs. “Our advisor told us the wrong location and I told you. We’re all here now.”
Reed and Lexi lock eyes and they appear to have a nonverbal conversation. Reed glowers at her, but Lexi smiles sweetly. After several seconds, Reed’s frown deepens, and he sits in the chair and folds his hands on the table in front of him. “Have you begun?”
Everyone remains silent until Lexi, the only person not stunned into silence, speaks up. “We’ve all introduced ourselves and listed what we bring to the table.” She flashes me a smile, and it still seems genuine. “It was Caroline’s idea.”
Reed’s sharp eyes pin me again. “And you didn’t think to wait for me?”
Now he’s starting to piss me off. “I’m sorry. But until approximately a minute ago, I didn’t even know you were on the committee. We were only told to show up in this room at four. We didn’t know who or what to expect.” I’m surprised by my outburst. This is so unlike me, except, apparently, with Reed. Even Megan stirs next to me, probably caught off guard as well.
Reed must accept my answer because he looks around the table again. “I’ll need everyone to write their name and contact numbers, schedules, and e-mail addresses so that I’ll be able to contact you regarding meeting locations and times if there’s a discrepancy in the future. We have a very short time to put this together, and we’ll have to put in some long hours to make it happen.”
His scowl deepens, and I wonder how his face doesn’t pucker in on itself like a black hole. If only I could be lucky enough for Reed Pendergraft to disappear.
Megan releases a tiny gasp.
Reed tilts his head slightly, and his eyes harden even more, a feat I didn’t think possible. “I can assure you, Ms. Hunter. I’m not going anywhere.”
Oh, dear God in heaven. I said that out loud.
I’m about to die of embarrassment.
“Now, Ms. Hunter, since you are indeed stuck with me until this show is complete, would you be so kind as to allow me to take a sheet from your legal pad and pass it around?” His voice is tightly controlled but the throbbing vein on his temple gives away how angry he really is.