Walking back along the shoreline, Mia decides privately that she has some natural aptitude for surfing.
She's not going to say this out loud. But she thinks it.
Elias had been, and this she genuinely didn't expect, an excellent teacher.
Patient, clear, never once condescending.
If Tyler or Lucas had witnessed it they would have required medical attention.
On the walk back, Elias hands Mia a towel.
His gaze moves over her wet sundress, and then moves away with a speed.
"You learned quickly," he says carefully.
"You taught well." She tucks a strand of wet hair back, not entirely modest about it.
He's about to say something when a voice cuts across the beach.
"Elias. There you are."
Claire, yellow bikini, with two friends.
Her eyes move over Mia once and settle into a smile. "Teac
