SUMMER TUTOR 2

CHLOE’S POV

The next afternoon drags like molasses. I spend the morning pretending to read on the back porch, but my eyes keep drifting to the guest house path. Every rustle of leaves makes my pulse jump, imagining Elias walking over early. He doesn’t. He’s disciplined like that—always on time, never early, never late.

At exactly three o’clock, the sliding door opens and he steps into the kitchen carrying his notebook and a fresh mug of coffee. Today he’s in a light gray button-down, sleeves rolled to the elbows, and dark jeans that hug his narrow hips. His hair is still damp from a shower, curling slightly...