Page 28 of Enchanting the CEO

He pinned me with his gaze. It was so unnerving that I needed to do something with my hands, so I grabbed our empty glasses and took them to the kitchen, moving right in front of him. The kitchen was a mess, which was no surprise, as I always left it in a state of disarray after cooking. I typically only bothered to clean up after I’d eaten.

I started to open the dishwasher, but Gabe caught my wrist, and the contact was almost too much. I almost gasped but managed to pass it off as a hiccup.

"I insist." He said the words in a low voice, his tone brooking no argument.

The kitchen was small, and there were far too many opportunities to brush against each other if we both cleaned up at the same time, so I threw in the towel. I was very susceptible to his touch.

“All right, thanks. But just because I’ve got a ton to unpack. I always leave a disaster in the kitchen until after I eat, and you can’t always clean it up.”

"We'll work out a system, and things will become easier to navigate, roomie.”

“Neighbor,” I said on reflex. The distinction made me feel better.

He lifted one corner of his mouth, and though he didn't say anything back, I knew exactly what he was thinking.

The truth was, we were obviously not just neighbors.

Chapter Seven

Diane

Things truly were starting to work in my favor. On Tuesday morning, before I left for my first tour, I received a request on the tutoring platform. I immediately replied—I wasn't going to turn down any money that came my way.

I was giddy as I dressed, putting on my name tag and grabbing the yellow umbrella I used for larger groups, which made me easy to spot. I had thirty people today, so I’d most definitely need it.

The day was unexpectedly windy and cloudy, yet I put on my best smile as I walked with the tourists on the Freedom Trail. This was my most popular tour. I'd done it more than a hundred times already, but I was still excited.

Celia asked me once how I could keep my enthusiasm while reciting the same thing for the hundredth time. But each group reacted differently, so the experience was fresh for me every time.

I had three back-to-back groups. Usually, I invited them to ask as many questions as possible at the end of the tour, but after the last one, I needed to hurry home in time for my tutoring class. I bid everyone goodbye after they handed me their tips.

Once I arrived home, I was surprised to see Gabe’s car. It was six o’clock, but I figured CEOs stayed later at the office. My stomach somersaulted at the sight.

Good gracious, I can't react like this every time I come home.

I sprinted up the staircase and opened my laptop. I'd made it with ten minutes to spare.

I immediately plugged in my password and login data on the platform. As I checked my phone for the onetime passcode for double security, I realized I had a message from Gabe. My stomach somersaulted again. Smiling, I opened the app.

Gabe: Hey, I heard you come up the stairs. Are you free this evening?

Hmm. What does he have in mind?

Diane: Later, yes. But I have a tutoring class starting in a few minutes.

Gabe: Good luck. Come downstairs afterward.

Ha, that sounded a bit like an order, but I didn't have time to properly tease him back.

I focused on the screen, and my client connected a few seconds later. It was a French lady in her fifties named Antoinette. She was starting a new job in the US in three months and wanted to improve her English as much as possible. I’d signed up as both a French and English tutor.

"Hi, Antoinette. Nice to meet you."

"Hi, Diane."

We started right away. I had specifically requested to work with adults because I didn't have any experience with kids. Antoinette’s English was decent, but I knew we could do even better. Three months was a long time. I dearly hoped she wanted to meet up regularly.

I kept glancing at my phone now and again. I was trying to check if Gabe had explained what he had in mind for tonight, but I didn't want to be unprofessional; I had my camera on, and it was easy to notice any movement.

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