Page 25 of Ms Perfectly Fine
Elijah looked either surprised or pleased that she was interested in his life, she wasn’t sure which.
“I wanted to build something on my own, and I had done all I could for the company. I wanted a new challenge,” he said.
“Understandable, but why come back? Why not stay in Canada?”
“A fresh start, and my investors are here,” he said, looking at his watch. “Actually, I should get back to work—I have an overseas call.”
“Makes sense. I was going to bed anyway,” she said, suddenly nervous.I didn’t mean to ask him so many questions. I didn’t think he would be so easy to talk to.The ease of the conversation was unsettling.
“Can I give you something so you won’t think I’m invading your privacy?” he asked, hesitating by the door.
“Depends on what it is,” she said, her eyes narrowing.
“I used one of your heat patches. My shoulder was killing me after working all night, but I got you a new pack when I went out for a run,” he said, returning from his office with her favourite brand in hand.
Autumn took the pack, waiting for him to ask why she needed them. She was suddenly afraid of telling him about her past—that he might look at her like she might break at any moment as so many others did. But the question never came.
“Thank you,” she said sheepishly, placing them back in the medicine cabinet. “You can use them if you like. You don’t have to ask.”
“Okay. If I do, I’ll replace them.”
“Okay,” she said, not able to meet his gaze. “Night,” she added before heading to her room. She needed to put some space between them because, suddenly, she felt far too comfortable in his presence.
Chapter Seven
Elijah
“WHY DO I get the feeling this isn’t a good call?” Elijah said when Francis’ name lit up his phone. He’d only gone to sleep five hours ago.
“I hate to do this, but I need you to fill in for me at Gamecon.”
“You’re a key speaker, I can’t just fill in!” Elijah said, suddenly wide awake. “It will affect Kyloware’s reputation if we leave them in the lurch!”
“I know I was the one who told you we should go for it, but we don’t have a choice. Todd’s running a fever, and I have to take him to the doctor. It’s Saturday, so if I don’t take him today, I’ll have to wait until Monday, and I don’t want to risk it. I can’t put him in the car for hours if he is sick, and if I leave it until Aiden can take over, then I won’t be able to make it in time for the illustration panel,” Francis explained in a rush. It sounded like a million things were happening in the background.
“Can’t Aiden take him to the doctor? I don’t know anything about drawing, let alone what I need to tell others.” Elijah wished they hadn’t signed up this year. Their schedules were packed.
“Aiden has to be in court to give evidence on a case. He can’t show up.”
There was no other option but to take his place. Elijah tossed the sheets from his body. He would need to get on the road early to escape the traffic of those leaving the city for the weekend.
“This is the price I have to pay for being single,” he grumbled under his breath. But he knew he couldn’t be selfish; plus, Todd was his godson, and he hated the idea of him being sick. “You need to put your kid first. What do you need me to do?”
“Let me cry for all the freedom you have,” Francis snarked. Elijah’s phone pinged. “I’ve sent you everything you need to know. You only have to talk about our game with a few creative details. Just read what I wrote and you should be fine.”
“What if they have questions?” Elijah asked, hastily making his bed.
“Show them the latest trailer. A teaser of our game should kill any remaining time. I would cancel, but if we want to hold our slot for next year, we need to stay in their good graces,” Francis said.
Elijah didn’t really want to release the trailer so soon—not until the contract with Nirosoft was secure. He would have to play it by ear.
“Fine. I can be on the road in an hour. What time is the lecture?”
“Today at four. It’s a long drive to Port Harlow, so get going,” he said.
Elijah agreed before hanging up. He grabbed his jeans and favourite graphic sweatshirt that featured the dragon king from their last game on his way to the bathroom. He’d left his stuff in the bathroom last night, sure Autumn wouldn’t throw it away, but his aftershave and razor no longer sat on the sink. He checked the wicker basket, but they weren’t there either. When he opened the mirrored cabinet, he smiled to himself as he noticed that she had moved her own bits and pieces to the top shelves and placed his own on a separate shelf.Progress.She’d also put his toothbrush in a separate cup. It shouldn’t have brightened his morning as much as it did, but he felt a spring in his step. He thought about knocking on her door to thank her for making the space, but he figured he should let her sleep.
Once he was freshly shaved, he headed back downstairs and put on his watch. Grabbing his overnight bag, he made sure to pack a spare suit and laptop.If I leave now, I’ll make it just in time.Clicking into the itinerary Francis had sent him, he saw that once the panels were over, there was a casual buffet for the speakers, followed by bottomless drinks in the hotel across from the event hall. He noticed his former boss Mr Harcroft, the CEO of Nirosoft, was named on another panel talking about upcoming releases.It’ll be a good opportunity to network with other buyers and show Harcroft other companies are interested in the game,he thought, hoping it would seal the deal.
