Page 57 of Beautiful Trauma
Doctor Mills raised her hand to choose Josef as her assistant and Regina moved on to the next candidate. Pres chose a student named Macy, and Professor Mansfield chose a student named Bixby. Regina had saved Henry for last, which was appropriate since I knew he was the best candidate. While I was confident they would all be exceptional assistants, none of them would dedicate themselves with the same alacrity as Henry would.
“Ezra recommended Henry Sullivan, and I can see why he thinks so highly of the young man.” Regina read off Henry’s education and career goals as she’d done with the others. I was eager for her to relay the notes she’d made during her interview. She smiled and stared down at her notes like she’d discovered something amusing she’d jotted down. “I wrote down, ‘sunny disposition, warm heart, and an eagerness to please that rivals all others.’ I hadn’t meant to make the young man sound like a puppy.” I nearly choked on my saliva, recalling the way Henry stared at the puppy play display at the Museum of Sex exhibit.
“Sounds like just the man for me,” Pres whispered beside me, turning my stomach. “Too bad he’s off-limits, right, Ez?”
“Right,” I whispered back.
Meghan Millstone raised her hand to select Henry as her assistant, and I had to suppress a big sigh of relief. Meghan could be a strict, no-nonsense professor, but she genuinely cared for the well-being of her students and was a fantastic mentor for them. Meghan and Henry would make a great team. The tensions I’d been harboring melted away, knowing he would be in good hands.
Regina wrapped up the teaching assistant selection and moved on to the next item on her agenda, keeping a nice pace but still allowing for questions or concerns that cropped up. “We’ve reached the final item I want to discuss with you,” she said, earning a smattering of applause. She bowed gracefully and said, “I know some of you have been looking forward to the back-to-school department party all year, and I finally have a location. We’re gathering on September seventh from eight o’clock to midnight at the Kenwood Country Club, which is a gorgeous venue for all of us. The president had decided to extend invitations to your teaching assistants so they’re made to feel part of the team and not just gophers who chase down your coffee. Invitations will be going out to your assistants tomorrow via email, and I expect you to encourage them to attend when you meet them on the fourth. You’ll be receiving the same email which will include the location details, entertainment, dinner menu options, dress code, et cetera. Don’t embarrass me in front of the president with poor attendance because I have a very long memory, and there will come a time when you need a favor.” She released a diabolical, cartoon villain laugh then clapped her hands. “Meeting adjourned, people.”
I’d hoped the professors in the department would eagerly approach Pres and engage him in conversations which would allow me to beg out of my agreement to have a drink with him. They did politely introduce themselves, but instead of lingering with questions, they welcomed him to the team and said they were looking forward to getting to know him.Well, damn.
“Looks like we have time for that drink,” Pres said, gesturing toward the exit.
“Looks like,” I agreed with false cheer. “Have you found your preferred watering hole?”
“I only just arrived last Thursday,” Pres said dryly, falling into step beside me.
“That’s five days, so I know damn well you’ve found a favorite drinking place.”
“Touché,” Pres said. “The bartenders at Eleanor’s make an excellent extradirtymartini.” He’d put so much emphasis on dirty that it almost sounded like an invitation for something else.
“Boyfriend,” I said, reminding him.
“Yeah, but you’re all mine until ten o’clock,” Pres said, his voice deep and wicked sounding. I stopped and turned to face him. Was he serious? “Fordrinks.”
“I thought I agreed to one drink,” I countered.
“Why stop at one when we have so much catching up to do. I haven’t been in the same room with you for over a year, and you hardly text, call, or email.”
“Okay,Mom,” I teased.
“I’m serious, Ez,” Pres said, bumping his arm against mine. “I miss our friendship.”
“I do too,” I admitted. Pres had been the most amazing friend to me when my world turned upside down, and here I was acting stingy with my time. Why should I sit in my condo and twiddle my thumbs while waiting for Henry when I could share some laughs and a few drinks with an old friend? “At least my condo is in walking distance from Eleanor’s.”
“Good to know,” Pres said, waggling his brows.
“Oh no,” I said, shaking my head. “I’ll put you in a cab.”
Pres’s frown was ridiculous. “You’re no fun.”
Henry thought I was plenty of fun. “Keep it up, and I’ll stick to the one drink and leave you to find your own entertainment for the night.”
Pres aimed a smug smile at me. “That hasn’t been a problem for me so far. I really like the Queen City.” Knowing he was screwing his way through the city eased the tension building inside me. What I thought was flirting had only been playful banter.
“I bet,” I said, returning his smile. “How are you getting around?”
“Took a Lyft here. I’ll call another one and meet you at Eleanor’s so you can drop your car off and meet me there.”
“Don’t be silly,” I said, waving him off. “Ride with me back to my place. We’ll drop off the car and walk to Eleanor’s together.”
“It’s a date then,” Pres said happily.
“It’s a plan,” I countered. I only went on dates with Henry, except we hadn’t been on an official one yet. But I had an idea to change that and couldn’t wait to surprise him later.
“HELLO,HENRY,”GEORGE SAID FROMbehind his desk. As friendly as the concierge was, his greeting lacked the same punch and response Ezra’s stirred inside me. “You’re looking a little tired tonight.”