Page 26 of Ms Perfectly Fine
It was only when he’d finished packing that he realised he would be leaving Autumn alone.She won’t kick me out while I’m gone, will she? I doubt Tim would side with her if she pulled such a stunt. I think after our conversation last night, we have a better understanding.
In the kitchen, he noticed that Autumn was snuggled up on the couch, asleep, with the TV on standby.She must have come down in the middle of the night.Elijah tiptoed, hoping the floorboards wouldn’t creak as he made his way over to her. It was too early for her to be up yet, and he didn’t want to run the risk of irritating her when they were so close to being civil with each other. He spotted a fluffy white blanket lying on the rug on the floor beside her. The room was chilly first thing in the morning, so he gently lifted it over her; she snuggled it reflexively under her chin. He grimaced, afraid the gesture would wake her, but she only smiled a little and turned over.How can she be so fierce when she’s awake and yet so cute when she’s sleeping?
On the kitchen island, he took one of her notepads and settled for leaving her a note to let her know he would be gone for the night.He was anxious enough about being on a panel for illustration; he didn’t have time to think about what she might do in his absence. Out of time, he couldn’t help but steal the overnight oats she had prepared in the fridge and the neatly sliced watermelon to make the drive far more tolerable.I promised I would stop stealing her food, but her anger will keep her thinking of me,he thought, wondering why she made some food vegan but still had meat and dairy too.Out of sight, but not out of mind.Tucking the containers under his arm, he grabbed his overnight bag from his room and turned off his computer.
Closing the front door behind him, he felt a crunch under his foot. He glanced down at a single long-stemmed rose beneath his foot.
There were no rose bushes in the front garden, and he doubted the cherry tree was suddenly blooming roses. He picked up the flower, noticing how perfect it was. The petals were almosttoosymmetrical. The note accompanying it read:Another year together; our past will determine your future.
It must have been delivered to the wrong house,he thought.The message didn’t sound all that loving, but maybe it did to whoever was meant to receive it. He turned over the card but found no name or contact details for the sender. Eying his watch, he decided he didn’t have time to check with the neighbours.I doubt a single rose is important.At the end of the path, he put it in the compost.
Down the street, he got into his Jeep, deciding it was too long a drive for his bike, even if the skies were clear.
Chapter Eight
Autumn
WHEN AUTUMN WOKE up, she noticed her favourite mug on the glass table with a note stuck to it. Shrugging off the blanket, she guessed Elijah must already be up, since the underfloor heating warmed her bare feet. She stretched her arms overhead, trying to work out the sore kinks in her spine.What is he up to now?she thought, scowling as she pulled the note off and the tape residue stuck to the mug. Her sleepy eyes adjusted to scribbled words as she made her way to the fridge.
A,
Had to go to a conference. Gone for the weekend, try not to miss me too much. Thank you for making room in the bathroom, I appreciate it.
P.S. If you change the locks, you will be paying for the broken door. Enjoy the peace, it won’t last for long.
E. :)
Miss you? In your dreams. At least we managed to survive the first couple of days together.She scoffed, sticking the note to the fridge, unsure of why she didn’t throw it away. Making room for his belongings suddenly felt very intimate, though it had been an unconscious decision. She just hadn’t wanted his things lying around, and if she’d thrown them away, it would have started another argument.
She reread the part about changing the locks and rolled her eyes.I wouldn’t sink so low.Then she toyed with the idea of hiring a moving truck and getting rid of all his stuff.It’s only fair, considering he put my things in storage.Finishing her smoothie bowl, she concluded it would be a waste of time and money. There was no getting rid of him unless he decided to go.He would only get amusement out of seeing me irritated. Whenever I’m angry, he hasthatsmile—the type of smile that makes you forget why you were angry in the first place.She refused to give him any excuse to use such a weapon.
After breakfast, she read in the conservatory for a while about a swashbuckling prince and his cursed lover, then realised she should probably water his plants while he was gone. The plants didn’t deserve to die because their owner was a pain in the arse. She found the task rather peaceful and decided to leave the conservatory door open so she could smell the fresh flowers as she practised. Once the nerves along the scar down her spine started to spark, she forced herself away from the piano and took the opportunity to stretch without having to worry about Elijah walking in on her.
Having the house all to herself, she thought she would revel in the freedom. However, as she finished her stretches and rolled up her yoga mat, she found the house strangely quiet—not that she was ever going to admit that to him. There was no faint music drifting from his office or the sound of his heavy footsteps on the wooden floors. She’d never felt lonely living on her own, but having the house to herself again felt a little strange. A little too quiet, as if the house were suddenly too big.It’s only been a few days; there’s no way I could possibly miss him. All he’s done is invade my space and drive me crazy, how could I miss that?
A knock on the door disturbed her thoughts. She hadn’t ordered anything; Elijah might have, but it seemed strange to have a delivery so late in the afternoon. When she opened the door, whoever had knocked was gone, and two roses had been left on her doorstep.
Freezing in dread, she stared at them.
Who the hell is doing this? It’s been three years! How long until they stop sending them?Stepping over the roses, she hurried down the path to find no car or delivery van on the street. As always, there was no note.
I don’t want to touch them, but I can’t leave them here to rot.Elijah would find them. With a steadying breath, she picked them up, then hissed as one of the stems pricked her finger.Why haven’t they been dethorned?
She closed the door and put the roses in the bin in the kitchen. Licking the blood from her finger, she walked to the kitchen and removed a bandage from her medicine cabinet. She dropped it when another knock on the door startled her.
Maybe whoever has been sending the roses is tired of being ignored.Sudden terror washed through her at the thought, and she wished Elijah was home.
Another knock. Clearly, they weren’t going away. Putting her fears aside, she grabbed an umbrella from the stand by the door and concealed it behind her back. She opened the door to find Nina staring back at her with puffy eyes and a tissue pressed up against her nose.
“Sorry,” Nina mumbled, “I tried to call.”
Autumn felt her shoulders relax only to be startled by the fact that Nina wore pink sweatpants and a matching oversized hoodie. She didn’t think she had ever seen her so casual.Something must have gone very wrong.
“What happened?” Autumn ushered her friend inside, putting the umbrella back before she noticed. She pulled her phone from her back pocket, but it was out of battery.
“We fought. Can I stay here tonight?” Nina bawled, reaching the kitchen.
“Fought with who?” Autumn frowned, plugging in her phone while Nina took off her trainers by the island. “And of course you can stay. Just tell me everything.”
