Page 237

Sterling’s eyes light with something akin to mirth as he regards me, watching the panic, fear, and pain play out across my face like a movie.

“Scurry back to your desk, little mouse.” He takes a threatening step closer to me and, like the coward I am, I whirl around and race back to my seat, hating myself for allowing him to have any kind of power over me.

I bury my face in my hands, knowing I just made a fool of myself, not only to him, but to the entire class, and even worse—in front of my academic advisor.

“Ah, Mr. Abbot,” the professor chortles, as if he found our interaction amusing somehow. “How nice of you to join us.”

“Good to see you, Professor Ellison.” I swear to God, his wicked gray gaze lands on me as he says, “I’mthrilledto be here.”

Sterling crosses the room to stand with the professor. “This is Sterling Abbot, my TA for this class. He will handle the day-to-day basics, and should be your point person for most things.”

You can do this, Emmy. Get through the next hour and then you can figure things out.

“Mr. Abbot, if you will.” Professor Ellison gestures to the podium, stepping out from behind to make room for Sterling.

“To get things started, we’re going to do an activity calledStand Up.”

My heart is pounding so hard that my pulse thunders in my ears, effectively blotting out his voice. Which is a blessing and a curse.

A blessing, because the sound of his deep, gravelly voice both terrifies and enthralls me.

A curse, because I have no clue what’s happening at the moment, other than students seem to be standing at random.

I will myself to calm down.Professor Ellison is here, he won’t allow anything to happen. Breathe.

The panic rushing my system begins to wane.

That is until the professor up and leaves the room.

Without him here, what will Sterling do? At this point, I can only hope he has enough professionalism to spare me his wrath while inside the classroom.

Waves of tittering laughter raise up around me, yanking me from my internal worry.

“Miss Price,” Sterling bites out.

My eyes fly up to his. Judging from the pinched look on his face, this is not the first time he’s called my name. Which means they’re all laughing at me.

“Y-yes?”

“Is there a reason you’re not participating?”

I stare at him, doe-eyed.

“Have your legs suddenly quit working? Or perhaps you think you’re too good to participate?”

“Um.” I try to swallow, but my mouth feels like it’s full of cotton balls. “If you could just... um... remind me what we’re doing. Please?” My voice wobbles, right along with my pride.Less than ten minutes in his presence and I’m wilting like a daisy beneath the sweltering sun.

Sterling rolls his eyes, looking as pleased as he is perturbed.

“Since you haven’t been paying attention, I’m calling out descriptors. You’re to stand if they pertain to you. Surely you aren’t so dull that none apply?”

My cheeks burn as his words hit their mark. “Right. I’m sor?—”

Sterling cuts me off. “Let’s try this again, this time with Princess Price participating.”

Anger wells inside of me so fiercely, it nearly blots out the embarrassment.

“Now that I haveeveryone’sattention, let’s try this again. But first, please apologize to your classmates for wasting their time, Miss Price.”