I finally get the full meaning of being caught between a rock and a hard place. It would be rude of me to accept after I just told Reed no, but this might be my only opportunity to go out with Dylan.
I’ve had my eye on him since the beginning of the semester. The reality is that I really don’t have a choice. “Sure,” I say, but I purposely avoid looking at Reed. “I’d love to.”
Dylan’s eyes move down over my body, hesitating on my breasts. “It was nice meeting you.” His gaze rises to my face.
I’m suddenly unsure this is a good idea.
Reed releases a hard cough.
Tucker whacks Reed on the arm. “You all right, dude?”
“Surprisingly, great” is his terse reply.
Tucker remains clueless as he winks at me again, then follows Dylan to a huddle of his old soccer teammates. Tucker came through for me, so why do I feel so miserable?
“Is it my major that throws you off or the fact you can’t do your laundry on my abs?” Reed’s voice is unyielding.
The truth is that I feel much more drawn to Reed than Dylan, apparent lack of abs and all. I feel a connection to Reed I’ve never felt before and the tension between us only feeds my libido. “Reed, let me explain.”
“Caroline, that really isn’t necessary. Perhaps I’m just not your type.”
I want to lie to him and say he’s right, I’m not attracted to him at all, but that would be a flat-out lie. For some reason I can’t make myself say it. Maybe because it’s so far from the truth. “What type would that be?” I finally say. Because for some inexplicable reason, I can’t walk away from him.
“Rich, good-looking, powerful.” Ugliness drips from his words, snapping me out of my lustful stupor.
I lift my chin. “There’s nothing wrong with any of those attributes.”
He shakes his head in disgust. “I’ve seen your type before, and I can usually spot them a mile away. Somehow you slipped past my radar.”
Anger boils the blood in my veins. “My type? And what exactly would that be?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You’re a fortune hunter. An opportunist. A gold-digger.”
My mouth drops open in shock, partially that he’s pegged me, even if he makes it sound so vile.
What’s so wrong with wanting to be assured that I’ll never be poor again? But even so, what gives him the right to speak to me like this? Ugly words slip over my tongue before I can stop them.
“There’s no way you’ll make much money as a professor. Nothing that could compete with a respected attorney. Besides, Dylan looks like a Greek god and his family has money. Why wouldn’t I want to go out with him?”
The moment I finish, I want to take back every word.
His face reddens, and I’m about to apologize when a perky blonde literally bounces up to him.
She wraps her arm around his and pulls him to her in such a familiar way that it’s apparent they aren’t casual friends.
Reed Pendergraft just asked me out with his girlfriend on the other side of the courtyard. And he has the nerve to condemn me? Nausea rolls in my stomach. And here I was about to convince myself I should blow off Dylan and accept Reed’s date instead. I’m grateful his girlfriend has saved me from myself.
“Reed, are you going to introduce me to your friend?” She looks up at Reed’s face, her big blue eyes shining with happiness. I wonder if I should tell her what just happened, but I won’t be the one to destroy her. I’m sure Reed will take care that himself.
Reed pauses, long enough for me to jump in. “I’m no one.” Then I turn and walk away.
Chapter Two
I sigh as I pin fabric to a mannequin. Our required design lab time is almost over, but I plan to stay longer. I’ve spent far too much time thinking about my love life and not enough on this class.
“If everyone could listen up,” our instructor’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “I have important news about this season’s show.”
Southern University is known for its strong business school—one of the many reasons I chose it —and the administration typically gives the most funding to the business department and athletics.
The fall fashion show has always been a fundraiser for the apparel department. While seniors and juniors provide designs for the fashion show, seniors are in charge of the production. The announcement of this year’s theme should have been announced last week, and many of us are nervous that we’ll run out of time to complete our projects.
Ms. Carter waits until all eyes are on her. “As you all know, there’s been a delay releasing the details of this season’s show. I hope when I tell you the reason why, you’ll be as excited as the instructors and I are and think the delay is worth the wait.”
I glance at my friend Megan, and she casts me a nervous glance.
“This year the prestigious Monroe Foundation has approached the department about sponsoring this fall’s show.”
Gasps fill the room. While I’m familiar with Monroe Industries—well known for its pharmaceutical companies and many scientific advancements, my brain scrambles to recall anything about the company’s foundation.
“As many of you might know, the Monroe Foundation is an enthusiastic supporter of enriching the lives of children in need. They’ve agreed to match, dollar for dollar, the funds that the fashion show raises and donate their portion to Middle Tennessee Children’s Charity, a local nonprofit for underprivileged children. They have also generously offered to provide funds to pay all expenses for the program itself.”