Beauty and the Billionaire

"Please, Clarity, the Tailors are all cut from the same cloth. They know all the advantages, and when they are cornered, they simply put the pressure on someone else. Leave Brian Tailor alone," my father begged.

It hurt but I ignored his words. I jumped into my car and called Lexi before the garage door opened. "Hey, I was wondering if you could introduce me to one of the football players." I asked.

"About time," Lexi giggled. "Which one has finally tickled your fancy?"

"Brian Tailor," I told her.

There was a long pause, then Lexi sighed. "Clarity, I'm not stupid. Please tell me this has nothing to do with your father's, um, news."

"Just meet me at the coffee shop, okay?" I begged.

Lexi was there with her hands on her hips and a stubborn expression on her pixie-like face. "I'm going to do this for you. You know I'm going to do it. But, first, I want to know the truth from you."

"Why ask like that? Since when have I ever lied to you?" I asked, insulted.

"Thanksgiving. You have feelings for Professor Bauer, don't you?" Lexi asked.

My mouth opened and closed but I could not get the words to come out. Finally, I forced out, "What? Why are you asking about Ford?"

Lexi's smile was sad. "You called him Ford. Look, Clarity, we all knew you weren't into college guys and that's great, but I don't think you need any more scandals right now. And you certainly don't need the heart ache."

Hurt strangled my voice but I whispered. "I already know about Libby Blackwell. She rubbed it in my face."

"And have you talked to Ford?" Lexi asked.

I threw my hands up in the air. "How am I supposed to process that when my father's career has just been ruined?!"

"Alright, fine. But we're coming back to this conversation," Lexi said. "Now, there's Carl with Brian. Come on, I'll introduce you."

Brian Tailor was the all-American boy complete with white-blond hair, chiseled chin, and dark blue eyes. He smiled as we shook hands. "Nice to meet you, Clarity. Actually we had class together freshman year. Chemistry 101, remember?"

"Was that a line?" Lexi asked with a laugh.

"No," I smiled at Brian. "I remember you helped me memorize the periodic table of elements. Isn't Chemistry your major?" I asked.

"Bio-Chem," Brian said. "I'm hoping to go to work as a research and development scientist at one of the big pharmaceutical companies. Great pay, and the added benefit of helping the human race."

"Good looks and good intentions. I like him." I stepped forward so Brian could get a good look down the loose neck of my shirt. Then I traced a finger down his forearm. "Bio-Chem can't be an easy major; lots of pressure?" I asked.

Brian's dark blue eyes hardened and a muscle tensed in his square jaw. "The only pressure I feel is outdoing my own test scores."

"Brian's top of his class," Carl said.

I blinked, surprised. Carl didn't often speak up, but his tone was adamant. "Oh, so, he's one of those super-brainy football players?" I asked.

Carl nodded.

Brian punched his friend in the shoulder. "I suppose Carl never tells anyone that his professor just asked him to publish his last paper. Seems like I'm not the only smart guy that knows how run a play."

"Speaking of plays ..." Lexi pulled Carl aside with nothing more than a heated glance.

"That's some play you just tried to pull on me," Brian said when we were alone.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked.

He narrowed his eyes. "I get it. Your father is in trouble for a plagiarism case and I'm the defendant. It makes sense that you'd come after me to get at the truth. I just didn't think you'd drag Carl into this or try to flirt the truth out of me."

I swallowed hard then jutted my chin up at the tall man. "It seems to me like you would want to defend the man that defended you. Unless there's more to the story than anyone else has heard."