Page 25 of Return Policy

She turns her attention toward the counter where our drinks have yet to come out, ignoring me entirely. “Damn, these drinks are taking forever.”

“Are you really going to make me beg?”

Sophia looks back at me and folds her arms over her chest.

My eyes rake over her gorgeous body as I consider her silent challenge. I’ve never begged a girl for anything. Not for sex and definitely not tostudy.

Here goes nothing.

I reach out, taking her hands in mine, and drop down on one knee, ignoring the stares I’m getting from everyone else waiting for their drinks. Sophia’s expression turns from amused to shocked. She pulls one hand away, putting it over her mouth.

I flash my biggest dimpled grin at her. “Sophia Sunflower Summers, would you make me the happiest man in the world and tutor me for world history?”

“Elijah… you’re making a scene.”

“Then end it quickly and sayyes.”

“I have an iced black coffee forSunflower!” the barista calls out with impeccable timing, and Sophia’s eyes fly to him.

“And a honey hazelnut latte for…” He pauses. “Please?”

She throws her head back, letting out a bubbling laugh. “I’ve been set up.”

“Come on.” I bat my eyelashes up at her while lightly squeezing her hands.

“Fine, you idiot.” She giggles. “I’ll study with you.”

“She said yes!” I jump up off my knees, and the room erupts in hoots and hollers even though they have no clue what they’re cheering for. “You willnotregret this.” I cup her face in my hands, grinning down at her.

She rolls her eyes, then fixates them on me in a silent warning. “I better not.” The corners of her mouth tug upwards as we grab our drinks and head for the exit. “I do have one stipulation,” she says casually before taking a sip of her dirt coffee.

“You already said yes.” She looks up at me, and I quickly realize those gripping green eyes could make me do just about anything. “Fine, what is it?”

“You have to feed me after each study session.”

“Deal.” That’s an easy one. If it gives me an excuse to spend more time with Sophia, I’m all for it. “I have a stipulation too.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.” I press my lips together. “You have to promise not to fall in love with me.”

She chuckles. “Okay, Mandy Moore.”

“Do you promise?” I cock a brow. She reaches out her pinky, and I hook it with mine. “Can we start tomorrow morning?”

“Let me check mybusyschedule.” She pulls out her phone, and it feels like she’s taking hours to respond. “Okay, IguessI can pencil you in. Meet me in front of the library at nine?”

A rush of excitement floods my veins. “Okay, see you then.”

“See you,” she says, turning and strutting down the sidewalk.

I watch her sashay away, wondering when the hell I became the kind of guy to make a fool of himself in the middle of a coffee shop for a woman.

Do I need her to tutor me?

Sure.

Did I enjoy the way her face lit up and how her beautiful laughter made my chest swell when I dropped to my knees?

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