Page 22 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“Did he think I wouldn’t notice?” she grumbled, rifling through the half-empty fridge as she hunted for her dinner. Some of the meals she had prepared were either eaten or half-consumed. Even her vegan dessert yoghurts were gone!
Elijah had also filled the side shelves with every assortment of alternative milk she could think of, which she didn’t actually mind so long as he didn’t touch her favourite strawberry milk. There was nothing prepared for dinner, and she couldn’t bring herself to cook. She went to the cupboard for one of her emergency packets of ramen and saw that Elijah had filled the shelves with microwaveable meals.Clearly, he doesn’t like to cook. Why is he eating mine and leaving his own? If he won’t eat them, maybe I should. He’s only eating my vegan meals, and I want those for my meat-free days.She’d found meat and dairy weren’t great for her inflammation, so she tried to round out her meals as best she could without restricting her diet.
She closed the cupboard and fridge door to go and confront him.If he wants to be rid of me, he’s going to have to do better than eating my food.She opened the sliding doors to find the front room dark. It felt strange; she didn’t even recognise it as a room in her house.
“Elijah?” she called from the doorway. Stepping into his territory felt like giving him more power, and she didn’t want to give him any leverage. When he didn’t answer, she guessed he had his headphones on. She knocked on the door, but he still didn’t answer.He must be doing this to annoy me. The silent treatment? Are we children?Her irritation propelled her into the room.
“Elijah!” she snapped, moving deeper into the sitting room.
She stopped when she realised he was passed out on his desk. On closer inspection, he stirred slightly—just asleep. She didn’t want to disturb him.
With the computer glow over his features, he looked far more relaxed than she had ever seen him. No scowl or false smile; he still hadn’t shaved, giving him a more rugged look than the clean-shaven suit she’d first met. He wasn’t wearing the paint-covered T-shirt she had left him in that morning, and she couldn’t help but notice his defined back.
Stop staring—it’s just a back!Not wanting to be a creep who watched people sleep, she averted her gaze, glancing up at the two dormant screens. She wanted a sneak peek at what he stayed up at all hours doing, but she was afraid if she hit one of the keys, it would make a sound. Instead, she tiptoed over the creaking floors to the table beside his desk and studied the multiple sketches of dragons and sorcerers in different colours and styles.These are incredible! Did he do these? Or does he have someone draw for him?Leaning closer, she studied the deep colours and intricate details on the dragon’s scaly tail and the wizard’s beaded cloak.
“You should wait until I’m out before you start snooping.”
Autumn jumped back, mortified at being caught. Elijah was stretching his arms above his head.At least I wasn’t staring at him.
“I wasn’t snooping,” she protested, looking atherempty dinner container on the desk.
“Mmm-hmm,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I have to ask. Are you allergic to wearing T-shirts?” she snapped.
“You’re inmyroom,” he pointed out. “I could be wearing less, but I think that would make us both uncomfortable.”
“Thank you for the consideration,” she said, wanting to get off the topic of his naked body. She pulled at her sleeves. “I only came to ask you to leave my shelves alone.”
He yawned, clearly still half-asleep. “Your shelves?”
She decided she preferred him unconscious. “Yes, my food.” She picked up the container from his desk and waved it in front of his face. “You ate the food I prepped for the rest of the week.”
Elijah shrugged, leaning back in the chair. “Sorry—all the painting worked up quite the appetite.” Before she could snap at him, he raised his hands in defence. “It’s been a long day, but I promise I’ll try my best to keep to my own food.” He did appear to be somewhat sorry.
“Good. Thank you,” she said, grateful for his lack of fight. She wanted to make a quick exit since they’d almost escaped each other without quarrelling, but when she reached the door, Elijah cleared his throat. She turned around to see him watching her go.
“You’re a great cook—some would say irresistible.” He smiled.
She glared at him. “You’re a grown man. I’m sure you can show some restraint,” she snapped.
She was about to slide the door closed when her phone rang in her back pocket. It was her mum, who always worried if Autumn didn’t answer immediately. She picked up.
“Hey, Mum! Sorry, I just got in.”
“Autumn, please close the door,” Elijah requested, but when she ignored him, he moved towards the door to close it himself. He opened his mouth to speak, but she didn’t want her mum to hear him.
“Hold on, I’m just putting my things down,” she said, covering Elijah’s mouth with her hand. Indignantly, he pushed it off.
“Did I hear someone else?” her mum said, and Autumn’s stomach knotted.
“Nope, just the TV,” she lied, her eyes pleading with Elijah to be quiet.
“The TV knows your name?” Mum asked. “Have you met someone? It’s been a while since I heard you were with someone. I’m so glad you stopped seeing that drummer. You can’t build a strong relationship with someone who is out of the country.”
Autumn held the phone away from her ear, having already heard the argument countless times.
“A drummer? I didn’t take you for the bad boy type,” Elijah whispered, and she waved him away.
