She breaks into a coughing spell that lasts for several seconds. When she stops, her breath is wheezy. “Well, if you think of something … you can call.”
“Yeah.”
She hangs up and I lean my head against the table leg next to me. Tears burn my eyes. I will not cry. I will not cry. She made her choice, and it wasn’t me.
“Caroline?”
I lift my gaze to Reed standing the doorway. Worry covers his face, and I’m sure he’s wondering why I’m so upset and kneeling on the floor.
He’s over to me within seconds and reaches down to take my hand. “What happened?”
I shake my head as I stand and lean into his chest, the phone still clutched in my hand. He holds me close as I cry softly into his shirt.
Why didn’t she pick me? She made it out as though it were my choice. No one on either side of Mom or Dad’s family’s had ever been to college, and she didn’t see any reason why we should start now. Either I stay home or I go off to college.
“You make your choice right now, Miss Too-Big-For-Yer-Britches.”
But I’d made it years before, back before I even knew how the world worked. I knew I’d never settle for the life she had. Broke and bitter. What kind of mother wanted her child to live that way? No right-minded person would ever believe someone’s parents forbade them to go to college.
Reed rubs my back and smoothes my hair and after a minute I try to pull away, but he holds me close.
“What happened?”
I don’t answer.
“Caroline.” I hear the pleading in his voice. Asking me to let him in.
Part of me desperately wants to tell him, which shocks me. I’ve never been tempted to tell anyone, not even my old boyfriend. But I can’t. I’m ashamed. What would Reed, who attended an Ivy League school and is studying for his doctorate, think about a girl whose parents are red-necked hicks who didn’t even graduate high school? What I have with Reed might be temporary, but I’m not willing to lose him yet.
I lean back to look at him, wiping my tears. “I’m just overwhelmed about the project.” I force a smile. “What are you doing here?”
He stares at me for several moments, his eyes narrowed. He doesn’t believe me, and he’s trying to decide whether to press the issue. Then his scrutiny falls away, and his mouth lifts into a soft smile even if his disappointment lingers. “I wanted to see if you’ve eaten.”
I close my eyes. I’d give anything to leave with him right now, and part of me wonders who I’m kidding. Why am I putting all this effort into a doomed project? Three and a half years of student loans, and my future all boils down to a fashion show.
My mother was right. I’m destined to fail.
But I’ll be damned if I don’t go down kicking.
“I can’t leave, Reed.”
“I know. I asked if you’ve eaten.”
“No. I haven’t had time to get anything.”
His grin widens. “I had a feeling you’d say that.” He puts a brown bag on the table. “I brought us dinner.”
I’m overwhelmed by this man. I look into his face. “Thank you.”
He kisses my forehead. “How much longer do you think you’ll be?”
I take a deep breath. “I don’t know. I’ve got a huge problem.” I tell him about the dressmaker forms. “My entire collection is for children, and observing the drape of the garments as I make them is important. The only thing I know to do is keep running back and forth to the center for fittings.”
“So how do you solve this?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know how to solve this. I need a children’s size dress form and the department doesn’t have one.”
“But they make them?”
“Well, yeah….”
“Don’t worry, Caroline. We’ll figure it out.”
I’m not sure how he can say that. He obviously doesn’t know how funding works here.
“Sit down and eat with me and tell me about what’s laying on that table.” He’s pointing to my first design.
“God, you’re bossy.”
“I know.” He flashes his ornery grin. “Eat with me.”
He’s brought deli sandwiches and chips, along with cookies. I tell him about my first design and why I created it the way I did, and he watches me intently, asking questions. “You don’t have to do that,” I say.
“What?”
“Pretend you’re interested. It’s okay if you’re not. Most people find fashion design superficial.”
“Do you love this?”
“What? Designing?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Well, yeah. Of course.”
“Why? And not some bullshit answer like you gave Lexi in the car. Why do you really like it?”
I stare into his brown eyes, wondering where this man came from. In two years, Justin never once asked why I loved what I did. “Because clothes have power.”
His eyes twitch but otherwise he doesn’t react.
“Take a person, like me.” I stand, surprised at my boldness. Surprised I’m opening my heart, even if he doesn’t realize it. “What do you see?”
“The most gorgeous woman I’ve ever known.”
I put my hands on my hips. “Reed.”
He shrugs. “You asked what I saw.”
“What would most people see?”
“The most gorgeous—”
“Reed!”
“Okay, I see a young professional. I’d say college student, but most schlep around in jeans and T-shirts and you’re wearing a dress.”
“Good. So you think I look like a professional because of my dress, but if I was on campus in jeans and a T-shirt, you’d take me for a college student. Clothes made the difference. If I’m wearing a ball gown and I’m attending a high society social event, what do you see then?”
“A socialite.”
“Put me in skanky clothes and you see a prostitute or a slut. Clothes not only affect people’s views of us, they also affect our view of ourselves.”
He studies me. “What do you see when you look in the mirror, Caroline?”
I’m surprised at how perceptive he is. “That’s not fair.”
“It’s perfectly fair.”
“What do you see when you look at yourself?” I ask, sure he’ll dodge my question.
But he looks me in the eyes, his gaze unwavering. “I see a man determined to get an education.”
“Is that all?”
“He’s loyal and loving and protective of the people he cares about.”
“All from your clothes?” I ask.
“No. I see the last part in my eyes.”
I move toward him. I see it too, and it scares me. “Are you saying that clothes don’t matter?”
He shakes his head. “No, definitely not. Clothes are very important. I’d never dream of going into a meeting in jeans and a T-shirt, but even if I did, it wouldn’t change who I am inside.” He takes my hand and leads me to the window. The sun has set so the window acts as a mirror. “Your dress makes you stunning and maybe it gives you confidence, but at some point the confidence has to come from in here.” He taps my temple. “And then it will come out here.” He points to my eye.
I stare at our reflection. He’s a head taller than me when I’m wearing flats. His arm is draped over my shoulder. I turn toward him, wanting to see the real him, not a fuzzy reflection.
“That’s why you want the kids to take part in the show and you’re trying so hard to give them each something they’ll love. You want them to see themselves differently.”
“Yes.”
“And what part of that is superficial?”
His question stumps me.
“What about Desiree? Why is she so important?”
“Because she is.”
Reed sighs.
“I can’t spill all my secrets all at once,” I tease. “Then I’ll lose my intrigue and you’ll move on.”
“Lose your intrigue? Not a chance.” He laughs. “So
what are you going to do next?”
I run a hand over my head as I survey my workspace. “Since I can’t work on the shirt until I fit it on something, I guess I’ll make a pattern for the next design.”
“Mind if I stick around and do my own work?” He points to his bag. “I brought it with me.”
I like the idea of him staying with me. “I’d love it if you did.”
“Good.” He picks up his bag and pulls out his laptop. “I’m here to make sure you don’t walk out to your car alone.”
“So you’re like my bodyguard?” I tease.
He winks. “Can I guard your naked body?”
I place a kiss on his mouth. “I think that can be arranged.”
“Then consider me hired.”
I work another couple of hours making patterns for the next design. When I finish, it’s too late to start anything else.
Reed sits in one chair, and his legs are stretched out on another. His laptop rests on his thighs. A pair of dark-rimmed glasses perch on his nose. Whatever he’s been working on for the last hour has captured his attention. I’ve been stealing glimpses of him, and he’s hardly moved from his position.
“What’s got you so fascinated?” I ask.
He blinks and looks up over his glasses. “What?”
God, he’s sexy. “You look very intent on what you’re doing. What is it?”
He grabs the laptop with one hand and stretches with the other. “I’m working on a program. What are you up to?”
“I’m done for the day.”
His feet drop to the floor and he clicks a few buttons on his laptop before closing it. “Well, let’s get out of here.”
I pack up my things and put them in the backroom then grab my purse, flipping the lights off on the way out the door.
“If I wasn’t here, would you be walking out alone?”
I roll my eyes. “Reed….”
“Caroline, it’s not safe to walk alone. You promised me you wouldn’t.”
I hold up a hand. “I don’t remember agreeing, but I do have a hazy recollection of a sexy man promising me great sex if I did.”
“Not just great sex. Better sex than you’ve ever had before.”
“That’s quite the boast. What do I have to do? Sign an oath in blood?”
“No, just give me your word.” He shrugs. “Along with a verbal oath.”
I pull him to a halt, in the fading light of a street lamp twenty feet away. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s do it here.” I lift up my hand. “I, Caroline Hunter, do solemnly swear.” I pause. “What’s next?”
“To never walk alone at night.”
“Anywhere?”
“You can walk out your front door, but wandering across campus? No.”
“Reed.”
“Did I mention how incredible it was going to be?”
I tilt my head. “This oath is null and void if your performance doesn’t live up.”
He leans his head back and laughs. “I’ll agree to that because I have no doubt I will rock your world.” He finishes in a goofy voice.
I burst out laughing. “Rock my world?”
His lips press in mock annoyance. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’m a nerdy math guy. We’re not hip to the lingo.”
“Hip to the lingo?” I put my fingers over his lips. “Stop, just stop, before you embarrass yourself anymore.”
“So promise then,” he says under my fingers.
“Fine.” I take my hand off his mouth and hold it upright. “I, Caroline Hunter, do solemnly swear to never walk alone at night, unless I can help it. This oath is negated if Reed Pendergraft doesn’t deliver the best sex of my life within the next twelve hours.” I start to put down my hand then raise it again. “So help me God.” I flash a smile. “Happy now?”
“You have no idea.”
“Good, because I’m sure I’m going straight to hell for invoking God and mentioning hot sex within a sentence of each other.”
Reed laughs and pulls me close. “Then I guess I’m going with you.” He takes my hand and leads me to the parking lot. “Let’s get going. I only have eleven hours to deliver.”
It takes him less than one.
Chapter Twenty
Reed spends the night again, but gets up and leaves around seven. I don’t mention Lexi and he doesn’t either, but we do make plans to eat lunch together.
I have to wonder if this is a good idea. We’ve only known each other a short amount of time, yet we’re already spending so much time together. But when I consider telling him I need more space, my heart aches. I can’t do it.
My government class isn’t until ten, and I have a test I’m not prepared for. The time I should have been studying was spent working on my designs or with Reed. I spend the morning studying, then rush to campus to take the exam. When I walk out, I’m hopeful I got an A, but confident I at least got a B.
I don’t meet Reed until noon so I walk to the design lab to see about reserving a workstation for later in the day. I’m surprised to find the design students in an excited huddle.
Megan is on the periphery of the group so I approach her. “What’s going on? Why is everyone so excited?”
“The department just got a delivery. Twenty dressmaker forms. All in child sizes.”
I gasp. “What?”
“They were delivered this morning. From the Monroe Foundation.”
“But … how…?”
“I don’t know, but it’s definitely a godsend.”
I stand on my tiptoes to look over the huddle and see multiple boxes in the middle of the workroom.
Reed.
I hurry across campus to the math department. I know he has a class now, but it should let out soon. Less than a minute after I reach the second floor, a door opens and a small group streams out. Including the man I’m looking for. “Reed!”
His eyes widen in shock, then he grins. “What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting in a half an hour.”
“I’m here to ask you a question.”
“And it couldn’t wait?” His smile falters and he crosses his arms. “Okay.”
“Do you have any idea how the Monroe Foundation knew we need child-sized dressmaker forms?
He pauses. “Well, the Monroe Foundation is sponsoring the show, and they were the ones to mandate that two outfits per designer be designed for children.”
“I don’t understand how you did it.”
“I didn’t—”
I put my fingertips over his mouth. “How did they find out?”
He kisses my fingers, then pulls my hand down. “I told them.”
I shake my head. “But how did you know how to get a hold of them? When did you even do it? I didn’t tell you that I had an issue until last night.”
“I’m their representative and I report to someone at the foundation after our committee meetings. I sent my contact an e-mail while you were working last night.”
“And they sent the dressmaker forms today? How could they get here so quickly? FedEx doesn’t even work that fast.”
Reed shrugs then takes my hand, heading for the staircase. “Don’t overthink it. It’s the Monroe Foundation, which is funded by Monroe Industries. They have their hands in all kinds of pies. I’m sure getting a bunch of dressmaker forms here this quickly was no big deal. Especially when their reputation is on the line. Remember, the show reflects on them.”
I hadn’t thought of it that way. “Thank you.”
He leans down and kisses me. “Anything for you.”
***
Over the next few weeks, Reed and I spend time together every day. He comes to the workroom almost every weekday night and brings dinner for the both of us. Then he stays and does his own work while I work on my designs. He’s actually interested in what I’m doing, and wants to know why I’ve paired certain fabrics or why I’ve added trim or picked a button size. His questions make me think more about what I’m doing, and the designs turn out better beca
use of his curiosity.
When I’m done for the night, Reed follows me home and stays until six or seven, then he gets up and goes home to shower and change.
We often meet for lunch, sometimes coffee, and then again in the evening.
On the weekends, I slip in some time out of the studio. We’ve gone to two movies and out to dinner. But he still leaves early in the morning, to get back to Lexi, I presume. I stopped asking after the first few mornings.
I can’t help wondering if this is a good idea. Our arrangement is meant to be temporary, until someone else comes along. But when I think about Reed not being in my life, I feel like someone has sucked the air from my lungs. I can’t imagine life without him.
And that is a very bad thing.
Reed walks in the workroom carrying a pizza, and the girls catcall.
“There’s Caroline’s man.”
“When you’re done with him, I want a piece of that boy.”
Reed flashes them a smile.
I set down the pins I’m using to hem a jacket for my eighth design. “Back off, girls, I’m not done with him yet.” I take step toward him. “Hey, you.”
“Hey, yourself.” He sets the pizza box down on my chair and pulls me into a hug, giving me a sweet kiss.
“How did your test go?”
He sighs and pulls me onto his lap. “I think it went well.”
“You spend too much time in here with me, Reed. You should study somewhere else.”
He shakes his head. “I study other places. I have plenty of time to study. Trust me. I like hanging out here with you.”
I like it too, but I don’t want his grades to be affected by it.
I get up and hand Reed a slice, then grab one for myself and sit in a chair next to him. “You got my favorite. Sausage and mushroom. Thank you.” I give him a kiss before I take a bite. “It was your turn to pick. How will you live without your black olives?”
“Somehow, I’ll survive.” He laughs. “I decided you needed a reward for working so hard.”
“And here I thought your body was my reward.” I tease.
“That’s a given.” He takes a bite and grins. “Have you thought about how we’ll fill our time when you’re done with the show? When we no longer get to spend hours upon hours sitting in this room.”
Heat Up the Fall: New Adult Boxed Set (6 Book Bundle) Page 104
