“Of course, sir.” I pick up the PowerPoint remote control in one hand, my paperclip in the other, and start going through my slides.
The moment my project design comes on the screen, I gain more confidence. I have lived and breathed this material every day over the last year, and even before. I try not to focus on Mr. Hale, but the few times that our eyes meet, he is watching me intently, just as he does in my dreams. I think he seems mildly impressed but it’s hard to tell with his well-controlled mien. He must be an excellent chess player. Denton gives me several small encouraging smiles, and Daniel is writing down various things. Mr. Hale takes no notes. Finally, I’m through my last slide. Resisting the urge to do a cartwheel, I set down the remote control and take a sip of water.
“Are there any questions?” I ask, praying to every higher power I can think of that there aren’t any. Apparently my prayer is not entirely wasted because the first one to break the silence is Daniel, not Mr. Hale.
“Miss Snow, this is very impressive indeed. Aside from its inherent protein, can the formula support add-on medication?”
“Yes, Mr. Samson. Drugs can be incorporated in powder form. There would need to be an adjustment for taste, but chemically, it’s possible.” I look from Daniel to Mr. Hale and speak without thinking.
“Would you like a taste?” Even I hear the excitement in my voice.
A warm tingle darts up my spine as Mr. Hale nods and answers, “I would.”
I try to walk—and not wobble—to the podium where I have a handful of the protein candy, wrapped in glossy recyclable paper.
“Sorry, I only have them in pink for now,” I mumble. I hear a low chuckle from Hale’s direction.
I open my hand and all three reach simultaneously for the candy. I watch only Mr. Hale’s fingers as they graze my palm. The electric tingle jolts down my arm and nestles at the spot he touched.
“So, are these safe to eat? Have they been tested?” asks Daniel.
Denton jumps in, bouncing on his seat. “Oh, yes. I eat them every day, especially when I forget lunch. Poor Isa has had to make extra just to account for me alone.”
But I want to be scrupulously open, and I don’t want to upset Mr. Hale. “Technically, Mr. Samson, they have not been approved by the FDA yet.”
The male gender is apparently eager to try anything previously untested for safety. They open the wrappers and pop the little candy in their mouths. I know it will start melting on their tongues instantly. I avoid looking at Mr. Hale as much as possible because his lips are puckered around the candy in a way that should be illegal.
Daniel laughs. “It tastes like cinnamon.” He smacks his lips.
“Yes. This batch does.”
“You’ve tried them in other flavors?”
“Yes. Peppermint and chocolate. Oh, and steak once because Professor Denton thought that would go well with men. I don’t recommend it.” I wrinkle my nose. Denton laughs, Daniel with him. Mr. Hale gives that same low chuckle again. I wonder if he ever truly laughs. His eyes are dancing with amusement and a dimple forms in his cheek—an innocent trait at odds with the sinful face and the savage scar. How did he get that scar?
“How did you come up with the idea?” Mr. Hale asks his first question.
It’s the most basic of questions but the tingles evaporate because of the memories it triggers. “It’s something that my father originally came up with when I was young. I have continued his work.” I try to control the emotion in my voice.
Mr. Hale’s eyes narrow a little. Denton knows this is a touchy issue so he jumps in. “Isa is being too modest. Her father formulated the idea of a tiny candy packing as much nutrition as a healthy meal but the protein, the content, the taste and the process are all hers,” he tells Mr. Hale, who continues to regard me intently.
“Has your father helped you during this project?” he asks. I swallow hard. I wish he had.
“No, Mr. Hale,” I say softly, finally making full eye contact. Please don’t push it, I beg him. He nods once as if he can hear my thoughts.
“And how far are you in the process of finishing and obtaining FDA approval?”
“I have one last stage of testing. Preservation, shelf life, that sort of thing. That should take about six months. Then, the product would be ready for FDA approval and patenting. I understand the process for that can take a while.”
“Who owns the supplement legally?”
“I do, sir. Reed has a minor share but it’s assigning it to me upon graduation.”
“And you’re graduating next week?”
“Yes, sir.”
“So, what happens to the supplement then?”
Denton interjects. “Ideally, we would work on the last stage together. That way, Reed would attract more funding and Isa would supervise the project.”