Page 71 of Incurably Cupid

Of the other two, one had a difficult family life. He lived with his parents, and they were constantly fighting and screaming at each other. I had an offer for him after the other two left that I hoped he would accept. I nodded for him to take the seat behind me, and he sat, slumping in his seat. He looked exhausted. My heart ached for him.

I turned back to Annika and Jasper and smiled gently at them. “You guys know I’m tough.”

They nodded.

“But I’m also fair. You both tried really hard despite personal setbacks, so I’m offering extra credit. If you complete it, you pass the class.”

They both looked shocked but grateful. I handed them the extra credit I’d devised for each of them—one week of helping the cupids assigned to the Moonhaven hospital for Annika, and one week of volunteering at a free pet clinic for Jasper—I’d noticed his love of animals. They read through their assignments, blinking in surprise and what I hoped was delight. “Thank you, Professor.”

I nodded and tilted my head toward the door. “Now get outta here, would you?” I teased.

I turned to my last student—Austin. He looked so defeated. I really wanted to hug him and tell him that everything would be okay, but I didn’t. Instead, I sat on the edge of the desk and folded my hands in my lap.

“I’m sorry, Professor,” he said, his voice cracking as he fought back tears. “I really tried.”

“I know you did, Austin,” I said gently.

He looked up at me, his eyes haunted. “Do you have extra credit for me?” he asked hopefully.

I nodded. “I do. This is your last class for the day, right?”

“Yes.”

I picked up my bag and keys. “Follow me.” He followed quietly as we left the university and walked down the street to my old house. When we arrived, I placed my palm on the door and asked him to place his next to mine. He looked confused but did as I asked. The area around his palm turned red for a moment, then flashed green, and the locked door opened.

“Go check it out,” I encouraged.

Hope—fragile hope—shone in his eyes as he entered my old home, almost reverently. I’d cleared all my stuff out, but I’d left enough for him to get by: furniture, dishes, pots and pans, etc. He explored the kitchen and living room, then the bedrooms and bathrooms. Finally, he returned to where I was still standing at the open door.

“What is this, Professor?”

I smiled. “This is your project and your new home. It will take a little longer than the other projects I gave out today.” Leo sent him the deed to the house, and I heard his pad receive it with a muffled beep. I nodded at his bag. “Leo just sent you the deed to this house. It’s yours, free and clear. I only have two requests.”

Tears streamed down his face. His expression crumpled, and he hid it behind his shaking hands. His shoulders trembled. I wrapped an arm around him for support, and he leaned into me, unsteady on his feet. “Don’t ever let your parents into this house—it’s your haven, and if you meet someone this next semester, or during your time as a student, who needs a safe space, there’s another bedroom for them. Your extra credit is taking ownership of the house and keeping an ear out for anyone who might need what you needed this semester—somewhere safe.”

He pulled away, wiping his red eyes. His chuckle was a bit watery. “I thought you were the worst teacher at the beginning of the semester.”

I nodded. “I’m used to that,” I said with a rueful smile. “It’s maybe even a little deserved.”

He shook his head adamantly. “It’s not. Even before this, most of us in your class knew…”

My brow furrowed. “Knew what?”

“You practice what you teach,” he said, as if that explained everything, and for the second time in my life, I blushed.

He laughed. “Thank you so much, Professor. I won’t let you down!” He gave me another hug, and I left him to settle into his new house, blinking home to Mesmer, who had a rare day off. We were planning to use it for a couples’ game night up at the villa with a group of other couples I’d gotten to know over the last few months.

I blinked just outside our house on the villa grounds and palmed the door to let myself in. I dropped Leo and my bag onthe table and let Leo adjust to being in the house again. It always took him a moment or two to connect to the smart features. When he did, his voice came from a wall in Mesmer’s huge chef’s kitchen.

“Mesmer messaged to tell you he’s running late.”

I laughed and went to change, unsurprised. He was punctual to a fault for everything else, except when it came to breaking away from his job. I didn’t blame him; after all, his job involved two of his best friends.

“I thought he had the day off?” I changed in the bedroom, but according to the privacy protocols that Mesmer, Leo, and I had established for our new dynamic and home, Leo stayed out of bedrooms unless we palmed our wall and asked for his help in an emergency. Leo’s favorite space was the living room anyway; he loved watching television. He’d even enlisted some of Mesmer’s underlings for a short skit he’d written, produced, and directed. It had actually been really good. He had a lot of talent.

I returned to the living room once I’d changed into more comfy clothes, and grabbed some ice water. Emotions, I’d learned the hard way, always made me thirsty.

“He had to go up to the house for something, but he’s on his way back now.”

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