My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 414

Xavier blinked, looking a little surprised. “You want lessons too?”

Emily grinned. “If you have time to help Elizabeth, you might as well teach me too. I’ll even pay you the going rate for a tutor. What, you don’t want the extra cash?”

He shifted his gaze and hesitated, looking a bit uneasy. “You know I only graduated from a second-tier college. I wasn’t exactly top of my class.”

He glanced at Elizabeth, as if seeking backup. “Besides, Elizabeth told me you have amazing grades. You’re planning to apply to Kingswood University, right? And you’re aiming to be top of the entrance exam. I’m worried I won’t be able to teach you well. Maybe you should reconsider?”

As soon as he said this, a few nearby students turned to stare, clearly trying to spot the girl bold enough to claim she’d top the university entrance exam.

Emily forced a smile. “Keep your voice down, will you?”

The last thing she needed was to be the subject of ridicule on the campus confessions page before she’d even started college.

Xavier’s lips moved as if he wanted to say more, but then he looked to Elizabeth again, hoping she’d back him up. “Honestly, you’d be better off finding a real tutoring center. The teachers there are professionals. If you need recommendations, I know a few good ones.”

Elizabeth frowned, nearly slamming her hand on the table. “Why are you selling yourself short? Emily’s asking you for help—you should just agree and stop talking yourself down.”

Xavier looked a bit wounded and dropped his gaze.

Emily knew Xavier was shy and tended to underestimate himself. Still, for the sake of his future, she made an effort to encourage him.

“I remember you came to the city because you’d found a job here, right?”

Xavier nodded. “Yeah, I started three days ago.”

“Which tech company was it again?” Emily asked.

He named a well-known national tech firm, then quickly added, “But I’m just a contractor, not a full employee.”

“Now, are you willing to teach me?”

Xavier looked as if he was almost convinced. “I mean, work keeps me pretty busy, so I’m not sure how often I’ll be free to help. And I’ve never tutored anyone before—I might not be great at it.”

Elizabeth waved her hand dismissively. “It’s the weekend, and you’re off work, aren’t you? You can start today.”

Xavier nodded. “Alright,” he said, pulling a well-worn textbook and an old laptop from his bag. “Let’s get started, then.”

Emily smiled. “Great. I’ll pay you the standard rate—you won’t be shortchanged.”

Xavier nodded, a little shyly. “Okay.”

After they went their separate ways, Emily headed home, feeling satisfied with the arrangement.