Page 26 of Beautiful Trauma
“You’d have to check out the website, but I think they range from teaching assistants to working in the cafeteria or maintenance.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Henry said.
I slid another piece of paper to him. “These are your makeup assignments. I find myself in a quandary, Henry.”
“What’s that, Ezra?”
“Professor Meyer,” I corrected.
“Then it’s Mr. Sullivan to you,” he countered pertly.
I gave him my touché nod. “I don’t want to mark you absent because it makes it so much harder for you to get your grade back up, but it feels unethical because I wouldn’t make the exception for anyone else. I find myself in the unique position of being the catalyst for your absence, and it seems unfair to penalize you for my lack of control.”
“Stop blaming yourself and don’t make an exception for me. I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to earn extra credit, but I don’t want anything from you for free.”
I was a horrible person for imagining Henry’s extra credit involved him kneeling in front of me. The skin on my face and neck burned from my dirty thoughts.
“Notthatkind of extra credit, Professor Meyer. I wasn’t propositioning you.”
“I do know that, Mr. Sullivan.”
“Then why the red face?” Henry asked, smiling devilishly because he knew I was going to tell him the truth.
“Just because you weren’t offering your personal services as extra credit didn’t mean I didn’t imagine it,” I said boldly. Henry swallowed hard as his face heated too. “I will give the extra credit idea merit, but it would need to be something I would offer to other students who miss classes for extenuating circumstance.”
“I won’t be upset if you decide not to give me a chance. I can buckle down and get my grade up other ways.”
“Let’s talk about you buckling down. You mentioned finding ways to build up your stamina to fuel the energy you need to work and go to school. I have some suggestions.”
Henry quirked a brow. “Did you print off a diet and exercise plan for me, Professor Higgins?”
His feistiness turned me inside out. “Now that you mention it…” I said, smiling when Henry’s eyes widened. “I didn’t design a plan for you, Henry. I want to help you, not control you.”
“You do have suggestions though.”
“I do,” I agreed. “I’ve had the privilege to travel all around the world and study various disciplines that have made me a stronger person.”
“You mean like the iron-clad control you wield like a weapon?” Henry asked.
“Weapons were created to harm people, and I don’t use my control in that capacity.” Of course, my past boyfriends would disagree with me on that point.
“I didn’t mean to insult you, Professor Meyer. What are some things you suggest I do to increase my stamina?”
“A healthy diet, lots of sleep, exercise, and meditation would build a strong body and mind.”
Henry scowled. “Exercise? I don’t have the extra time to visit a gym or the extra money for a membership if I did.”
“You can’t afford to skip the gym,” I countered. “Most local facilities give a hefty discount to college students, and you only need thirty minutes a day. Go to sleep and wake up earlier. Meditate, exercise, and eat a protein-rich breakfast to fuel your day. It will improve every part of your life. You’ll have more energy, sharper focus, and you’ll sleep better too.”
A sly smile spread across his face. “Plus, there will be a ton of cute guys at the gym.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from growling. “Yes, it’s fertile hunting ground.”
“You sound like an expert,” Henry said then shook his head. “Forget my last remark. I don’t want to know about your hunting habits. Tell me about meditation.”
I pulled a book out of my briefcase and handed it to him. “I’ve tried all these techniques over the years, and I like some of them a lot more than others. I thought you might like to borrow the book and give some of them a try to see what works best for you.”
Henry studied the front and back covers. “You’re serious about this?”