Page 44 of Ms Perfectly Fine
Autumn glanced over her shoulder at him, her eyes wide as she registered the compliment.
“I might have overreacted about the food, but I did think you stole the rice pudding. You could have told me it was still in the fridge.” She tapped her nails against one of the bowls. “I can pay you back for the groceries. It was petty.”
“You hung up on me before I could explain. Don’t worry about it; getting to eat your food is payment enough,” he said as she slid a bowl over to him. “However, we have one matter to deal with, since we’re on the subject of stealing.”
Autumn slurped up some noodles. “And what would that be?” Her eyes narrowed.
“My T-shirt?”
“Oh. Sorry. I didn’t want to have to go upstairs and I found it in the dryer; but I took out the rest of your clothes and put them in your office. Is that payment enough?” she asked.
“Seeing it on you is payment enough,” he said under his breath.
Clearly, Autumn heard him, because she was suddenly very focused on her bowl and not him. “I was in the middle of a true crime doc if you want to watch it,” she offered, rocking from one foot to the other. Was she hurting?
“Sure. I’ve finished my work for the day, if you don’t mind the company.”
“Not if you don’t hog the whole couch,” she said, and he followed her to the TV.
“I’ll be on my best behaviour.” He meant it; if he was going to convince her to go with him to the beach tomorrow, he had to err on the side of caution. The trust between them was fragile, and he didn’t want to ruin it.
They settled on the couch, a safe distance between them. He wished he was the fluffy blanket she wrapped herself in, but even sitting together was progress.
“How’s the arm?” she asked, finding her place in the documentary.
“Fine, thanks to you.” As they watched, he kept sneaking glances at her. It was only when she drifted off that he really understood how badly he was falling for a woman he hardly knew.
Chapter Sixteen
Autumn
SITTING AT THE kitchen counter, Autumn was finishing her breakfast when Elijah appeared and placed two bags on the counter, already fully dressed for the day.I was beginning to think he considered it a crime to wear a shirt,she thought as he looked at her with eyes she swore saw straight through her.
“Going somewhere?” she asked, putting her bowl in the sink.
“Yes, we are,” he said, putting his hands in the pockets of his black jeans.
We?Why would he think she was going somewhere with him? “I can’t. I was going to call Nina—”
Elijah grabbed her phone and placed it in his back pocket. Autumn would have tried to get it back, but she didn’t want to get too close to him—not when his aftershave smelt so good. “Yes, you can, and you said you owe me for the groceries.”
Her eyes narrowed. She’d thought they’d solved this issue. “But you said you forgave me.”
“I did, but you still owe me,” he repeated, looking down at her. She hated having to look up at him.
“I don’t owe you anything.”
“Fine. Then I oweyoufor the food, for accepting Brinkley, and for watering my plants—or drowning them, I should say.” He took the bowl she was drying from her hands so that she had to pay attention. “I promise you’ll enjoy yourself.”
She ignored the part about drowning his plants, not wanting to argue. Staring at his hopeful expression, she glanced at the burn on his arm.He did try to help me. One day out of the house won’t hurt, and I’m not allowed to practise anyway.
“You aren’t going to bring me somewhere and leave me there, are you?” She studied him sceptically.
He placed his hand over his heart. “On my honour”—he winked—“we are going to one of my favourite places.”
“What if I don’t want to go to your favourite place?”
“How about this? You do this with me today, and I’ll do somethingyouwant.”
