Redesigned by Denise Grover Swank Page A

for some reason, I forgot he was the arrogant ass who thinks the worst of me. “It’s obvious you didn’t.” I walk around him. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”
    I’ve left five little girls in the room who want me to make them pretty clothes. Now I need to see what I have to do to make that happen.

Chapter Ten
    Evelyn is delighted by my plan, but Lexi is even more so.
    When we leave the office and head out to the car, Lexi loops her arm around mine. “I knew bringing you would be a good idea! I hoped it would spur your creativity, seeing firsthand the organization you were helping raise money for. I just never imagined it would be so literal.”
    Reed is waiting outside, his backside to the car as he watches the street. He’s wearing a scowl, as usual, but damned if he doesn’t look good wearing that too. I stuff my wanton feelings down. What the hell is wrong with me? Lusting after a jerk. I’ve never been one of those girls, and I don’t intend to start.
    “Well, nothing’s for sure yet.” I need to focus on my project now that I have inspiration. “Evelyn has to get the parents’ permission.”
    “But that was a fantastic idea for you to use the children as models for the other designers too.”
    I shrug. “They need child models, so I figure why not?”
    “Have you got a style or color to tie your collection together?”
    “Not really. I want to sit down with my sketchbook and play around with some ideas first.”
    As we approach the car, Reed opens the passenger door and stands next to it. I have no intention of sitting in front next to Reed, but Lexi sneaks around to the driver’s side and climbs in the back.
    Reed’s eyes flash with alarm, and I’m not sure if I should be happy he’s as freaked out as I am by the idea of sitting next to me. But to protest and sit in the back would not only be rude, it would look like I can’t handle sitting next to him. I have no intention of letting him know he’s gotten under my skin.
    I give him a tight smile. “Why, thank you, Reed. You really can be a gentleman when you want to.” I slide into the seat and he shuts the door without a retort.
    We drive back to campus in tense silence. Reed keeps both hands on the wheel. I don’t know whether it’s because he feels the need to strangle something or whether he’s trying to keep from touching me. Or both. Neither is good.
    “Reed.” Lexi’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “I need you to drop me off at the bank.”
    His head jerks up. “The bank is a good ten minutes from where we are now. The opposite direction from the campus.”
    She leans forward, her hand resting on the seat next to his shoulder. “I forgot to mention I had an appointment with one of the investment bankers at five-thirty.”
    “It’s five-fifteen now. There’s no time to take Caroline back and drop you off at the bank.”
    “Then drop me off and take Caroline back to campus.”
    Reed hesitates.
    “For heaven’s sake, Reed.” She groans. “I know you don’t have any more classes today. What’s the big deal?”
    “Reschedule your appointment.”
    “I can’t. It’s for a class project and I have to bring my notes to class tomorrow.”
    I suspect she’s lying. For all her cheeriness and fluff, Lexi doesn’t seem the flighty type, especially after seeing her in action today. If she really had a meeting, she would have already made prior arrangements for me to get back to campus. She’s either lying about her appointment or she’s purposely set it up for Reed and I to be alone.
    Lexi’s matchmaking, and I don’t like it one bit.
    And neither does Reed. He shoots an anxious look in my direction then up to the mirror to look at her. “Lexi, you live by your Google calendar. You’re telling me that you just now remembered your appointment?”
    She shrugs with a smug grin. “What can I say? Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Even you, big brother.”
    I can see Reed wants to call her on it. I want him to call her on