Page 41 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“Would that include you?” Charli hinted.
Autumn lifted her head from the doughnut hole. “If you count ‘obsessed with driving me crazy,’ then yes, that would include me,” she said, glad he was out for the day.
“I get the feeling he’s why you are so tense.” Charli squeezed her shoulders, and Autumn dropped her head back in the hole.
“He has everything to do with it,” she groaned.
“And you can’t make life easy for yourself and try and get on with him? It might be more beneficial to you and your healing if you let go of trying to control everything.”
“Easier said than done. If you met Elijah, you would understand,” Autumn muttered. “I’m well aware of my control issues, but when my body feels so out of control, I can’t help but want to try and control everything else!”
There was one thing she really couldn’t get a handle on: Elijah and how she felt towards him. One minute she wanted him out, yet he had tried to help her last night when she needed it most, even though she’d been dismissive and rather rude. She kept finding herself watering his plants and wondering what he might like to eat when she did the food shop.
“You’ve shut yourself in for so long, and it sounds like he’s found a way to bring the outside world to you,” Charli said.
“Maybe,” Autumn said, conceding an inch—only because she hadn’t lectured her too much about neglecting her stretches.
“How are rehearsals going?”
“Good, for the most part. I wish my body could keep up.”
“Why not focus on where you are rather than where you want to be?” Charli suggested.
Autumn didn’t have an answer for her. They settled into a comfortable silence, and she let Charli work, forgetting about the performance, Elijah, and the pain.
Chapter Fifteen
Elijah
“HONEY, I’M HOME!” Elijah called, walking through the front door and putting his keys on the small table by the stairs.
No response, and judging from the soft music coming from the kitchen, Autumn hadn’t heard him come in.She clearly doesn’t have an issue using my credit card or the stereos I installed…He dumped his gym bag and followed the sound through his office to the kitchen, but he stalled at the crack in the sliding door when he saw a woman standing over Autumn’s bare back.She must be getting a massage.
Elijah wanted to give her some privacy, buthis eyes travelled from a sprinkling of freckles on her shoulders to a circular scar to the right of her mid-back. It was highlighted by her pale skin. It must be more than a few years old, but judging from the size, whatever had caused it must have also caused her a great deal of pain.The thought tugged at his heart.
“All finished. Take a light walk to help with the circulation around the scar tissue, but not with Brinkley because she might pull,” Charli warned.
Elijah looked down at Brinkley, who’d noticed his return. Thankfully, she hadn’t barked and announced his arrival.
“You got it, boss—I mean Charli,” Autumn said.
Elijah smiled.I’m not the only one she’s sarcastic with.
“And please do your stretches. You need to keep your muscles flexible, otherwise the muscles will strangle the nerves and start to seize more frequently. The last thing we want is for your nerves to compress again. I have more medicated patches for you; use them,” Charli said, handing them over.
Elijah thought about what he’d seen on her back that first time.It wasn’t a plaster, but a patch.
“I got it. Stretch, walk, and relax.” Autumn saluted, easing herself off the cushioned table with her back to the older woman. She pulled on an oversized grey T-shirt, covering the athletic shorts she had on beneath. Elijah’s breath caught in his throat when he realised it was one of his. Seeing her in it, how it flowed over her curves, caused him to react far more than he would have expected.
“You’re tiresome. Next time, don’t leave it so long before you call. Sasaki was right to bench you for a couple of days,” Charli scolded.
“Yes, yes, I won’t touch the piano,” she said, though it sounded less than convincing.
Elijah winced, afraid the door would squeak as he slid it closed. He waited for Autumn to see Charli out and go upstairs. Then, opening the front door quickly, he sneaked out.
“Hey,” he called out in a whispered shout to the woman just about to open the gate. Charli jumped, but luckily she didn’t scream. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m Elijah.” He kept his voice low. Even though Autumn was upstairs, he was afraid of being caught.
“You must be the intruder. I didn’t realise you were in the house, but I think that was the point,” she said, offering him her free hand.
