Page 100 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“He’s gone back inside with the others. We thought he would be the best person to tell them what was happening,” Aiden said, and she nodded in agreement. “He’ll probably want to assure them the show will continue, but I don’t know how. With my hand and without Nina, we’re down two soloists.” She hadn’t expected her first solo run in ten years to be over in one night.
“This isn’t the time to worry about that. You just need to focus on yourself right now,” Elijah said gently.
“I can’t help it. Nina was wrong in thinking I don’t love the theatre as she did. I love it enough to protect it from myself, whereas Nina was willing to burn it down in order to protect her place on the stage.” Autumn pulled his jacket tighter around her shoulders.Strangely, now that she knew Nina had been behind the roses, her fear had dis- appeared.
Elijah looked to Aiden. “What happens next?”
“Go home and get some rest. I’ll keep you updated, but with the evidence we have, possession of a weapon, and the intent to do bodily harm, she won’t get out for a long time,” Aiden said grimly.
Elijah shook his hand. “Thank you for helping us.”
“No need; I’m just relieved you’re both safe. Francis would have divorced me if anything happened to either of you.”
Aiden’s smile put Autumn at ease. She would never have thought that by meeting Elijah, the circle of those she cared for would expand so greatly.
Once Autumn was bandaged toperfection, Elijah brought her home. They were barely through the door when Sasaki called Elijah, who assured him that she was okay. Autumn was grateful for him dealing with the call; she didn’t have the energy to talk anymore.
Brinkley followed her upstairs, and she turned on her bedroom light. Stripping off the dress she’d so been looking forward to wearing, now covered in blood, she let it fall to the floor. She climbed under the covers, and the weight of her sheets felt like safety.
Brinkley snuggled in beside her, rested her head on her thigh, and comforted her. Autumn stroked her ears as the final threads of anxiety eased.
In the hall, she heard Elijah say goodbye to Sasaki. The bed dipped as he climbed in beside her, and she rested her head on his chest. The sound of his heartbeat steadied her own, and she closed her eyes as he ran his fingers through her hair.
“I was so terrified I would lose you. I wish you could know how much I love you,” he whispered, kissing the bandage on her hand before laying it back on his chest.
“I know because I love you too. Thank you for coming for me,” she said, then smiled. “I didn’t know busting down a door could be so sexy.”
“Always. I’ll happily bust down any door that tries to get in between us.”
Though she’d been trying to make light of the situation, his words were spoken with such sincerity that Autumn sat up and brushed her lips against his before settling back in his embrace.
After such an exhausting night filled with adrenaline and terror, they fell asleep in a matter of minutes, secure in the knowledge that tomorrow there would be no rose waiting, no looming threat. They were free to live as they saw fit without the interference of others, and it was the best night’s sleep either of them had had in a long time.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Autumn
Two Weeks Later
THE DAYS FOLLOWING the showcase were a blur. Nina was arrested, and with further evidence discovered in her flat and the conversation Autumn had recorded on her phone in the dressing room, she pleaded guilty.
Autumn didn’t go to the sentencing; she didn’t want to waste another moment of her time on anyone who wanted to hurt her. Despite having to drop out of the showcase with her injury, her opening night received rave reviews, and it wasn’t long before offers from other companies started pouring in. She considered going on tour, but she wasn’t sure what she wanted anymore. For the first time in a long time, she was genuinely happy. She had her other friends at the theatre, Elijah, and of course, she couldn’t forget Brinkley. Though Elijah told her she should tour and follow her heart, she wasn’t sure it was what her heart wanted anymore.
Standing in the kitchen with the morning sun drifting in, Autumn noticed the photo of Mollie on the fridge tilting, so she added another magnet to the photo. She wanted to see it every day to remind herself how lucky she was to be here, how lucky she was to have had a friend like her. She didn’t want to erase her anymore, in hopes of freeing herself from painful memories. Heather had reminded her that not all their memories were painful, and she was determined to remember her for all the good times they’d had together.
She picked up the letter pinned beside the photo that invited her to tour with the National Orchestra as lead chair. Chewing her lip, she placed it on the counter. The decision she’d made she had done so for herself, but as she heard Elijah come in with Brinkley after their morning walk, she hoped he would be supportive.
Sadly, the first person Autumn had wanted to tell about the National Orchestra and seek advice from, the friend she had shared the stage with for six years, was the very person who’d tried their best to prevent her comeback. There were moments she yearned for their friendship and grieved for the good times they’d shared. Yet at the same time, the memories were forever tainted by the knowledge that the friendship had been based on a lie.
She was sure it couldn’t all have been false—they had spent too many hours laughing and consoling one another for it to have been a total fabrication—but she needed to put it behind her, to mourn the version of Nina she’d known, and move on. Despite the betrayal and hurt she felt, she contented herself in knowing that though she had lost a best friend, she had gained a sister. Heather had been released from the station the day after opening night, and Autumn had been the first to greet her. Heather had decided to go back to college and pursue her own dreams. She was proud of Heather making a fresh start, and she hoped they kept in contact.
“I thought you would be packing,” Elijah said, coming into the kitchen. The smell of the fresh morning air wafted around them. Brinkley rubbed against Autumn for her morning cuddle.
“Not right now,” Autumn told Elijah, kneeling down to wrap her arms around the fluffy beast, not caring that she would end up covered in fur.
“Don’t forget to give me some loving,” he quipped, putting Brinkley’s leash on the counter.
“I think Dad is getting jealous.” Autumn scratched Brinkley’s ears before she took a dog treat from the jar on the counter. Brinkley took the bribe and made her way to her bed in the conservatory, her tail wagging happily as she went. Once Autumn was free, Elijah embraced her. Even though it had only been an hour or two since they’d left each other’s arms, she’d missed the feel of his lips against hers.
