Fixed Up by Maddie Jane Page B

imagination, or did Luke look a trifle uncomfortable? She pressed on. ‘I’d like to ask you to leave my class because you’re cramping my style. But instead I’m going to show you how wrong you are. Not only about your mother and your aunt but about every woman in this class. Sit there for the next four days and watch as they ask questions and learn by doing things themselves.’
    Harper’s breath hitched, suddenly desperate to know if Luke would accept her challenge. Afraid he wouldn’t. Afraid he would. Luke at the back of the class, day in, day out could drive her mad. He was too delicious. Too tempting. Too wrong.
    â€˜You’ll see first-hand that it’s all about having a go.’ Harper cleared her throat, found the steady, reasonable tone of voice she usually reserved for Annie. ‘Anyone can watch TV shows or google things online but until my students try something for themselves, they don’t know—really know—if they’re capable of doing it.’
    Harper threw the whiteboard eraser down on the desk like the proverbial gauntlet. Relief she could justify Luke’s presence and not lose two lovely clients swept through her. And if Luke discovered the error of his ways and Shelia got to try something new and exciting she’d never done before, all the better.
    â€˜Okay.’ Luke looked relaxed as he stared her directly in the eye, pinning her in his stormy blue gaze. ‘Let’s see if you can convert my mother round to your way of thinking.’
    â€˜Not just your mother. You too.’
    Luke’s easy laugh filled the room. ‘Let’s not get too ambitious. Not saying you aren’t a good teacher or anything. It’s just that proper renovation requires trained professionals.’
    â€˜When I say “convert” I’m not suggesting your mother will never need you again, just that she might learn some useful skills and hopefully experience a sense of pride in her accomplishments. If I can help Shelia, then it’s worth it.’
    And maybe Luke would see Shelia didn’t need to be swaddled and suffocated in cotton wool.
    Her unspoken words hung in the air, but Luke just shook his head, the confident smile not dipping for an instant. He held out his hand.
    â€˜You’re on, Harper Cassidy.’
    Her hand met his with a faint slap of warm palms. A firm handshake.
    Professional. Business-like.
    Yet her hand lingered in his as he showed no indication of letting go. His palm was rough, calloused, his grip strong. Did she imagine the softest caress of his thumb? A tingle where skin met skin? She pulled her hand sharply away, flustered in contrast to his apparent calm. What did it take for this man to lose his cool? She wanted to know the answer. To be at less of a disadvantage around him.
    The realisation that she totally fancied Luke came as a huge shock. She’d never been so attracted to a man before and here she was wildly and stupidly attracted to Luke who stood for everything she’d taught herself to dislike.
    He didn’t take what she did seriously. And what she did was who she was . The two were inseparable.
    Which meant he couldn’t take her seriously.
    This situation was becoming more than a mild inconvenience. Making flicking movements with her hands, she motioned Luke out, pulling the door firmly closed behind him. With a sigh of relief she rubbed her hands across her face but barely had time to regroup before the door opened again and Annie sauntered in.
    â€˜Phwoar! Who was that total spunk I saw leaving?’ Annie asked, eyes popping out of her head.
    â€˜He’s the latest thorn in my side,’ said Harper. ‘Yet another male who doesn’t see the value in DIY Divas. But I’ll show him he’s messing with the wrong girl. He’s not going to know what’s hit him once I get started.’
    â€˜Can you hear yourself? It’s scary. And you didn’t answer