Page 45 of Ms Perfectly Fine
She perked up. “Really?”
“So long as it doesn’t involve my moving out,” he added.
To her surprise, that hadn’t even occurred to her. She wasn’t about to admit that, though. “Bummer, but fine. I don’t want to be a ghost in the house all day, and I’m supposed to move around today,” she agreed, then caught herself before she revealed too much. “I just mean, it’s not good to sit around all day.”
“That’s the positive attitude. Here you go, then,” Elijah said, placing a helmet on the counter.
Autumn backed away as if it would jump off the counter and bite her. “No way,” she ground out, “am I getting on your bike.”
“You’ll beperfectly fine,” he said, mocking her favourite phrase. “Trust me.” He sounded genuine, and curiosity overpowered her fear.
“Okay, but this counts as two things.”
He nodded eagerly. “Whatever you say, boss.”
She picked up the helmet. “Do I need to change?” she asked, looking over her leggings and oversized hoodie. She still had her white trainers on from taking Brinkley for an early morning walk, even though Charli had told her not to. Brinkley had been on her best behaviour.
“Nope, you’re perfect,” he told her. Before she could gather her thoughts, he grabbed the bags and ushered her towards the door.
Autumn clung to Elijah fartighter than necessary, but he didn’t seem to mind as he sped down the streets and out of the city. The wind whipping past chilled her, and she couldn’t resist slipping her hands inside his jacket to feel the warmth of his body. She felt his stomach tense, but she had no shame when it came to numb fingers.
Along the coastline, he pulled onto a side road which led them to the beachfront and a set of rocks that a few teens were using to jump into the water.
“What are we doing here?” Autumn asked, removing her helmet. She admired the beautifully sunny day and the sound of the water crashing on the shore. Watching the light reflect off the water was far more relaxing than being stuck indoors staring at the piano all day.
“For you,” he said, handing her a bag and pointing to a stone building not far from where they’d parked. “You can get changed in there.”
“You can’t be serious. You want me to get in the sea?”
He smiled. “Did you think we were going to just watch the waves?”
“I can’t swim.”
“Yes, you can.”
“I have my period,” she lied.
“No, you don’t; you keep a very detailed calendar on the fridge.” She glared at him and he shrugged. “It’s not my fault you leave such personal information out in the open.”
“It’s going to be freezing!”
“The water will be chilly at most. It will be fine,” he insisted. “I wonder how many more excuses you have saved up.”
She gripped the bag to her chest, glancing at the waves crashing on the shore. “What if I just say no?”
“Then you lose your bargaining chip and the trip will have merely been a waste of your time.” Elijah crossed his arms over his chest, daring her to back out of their deal.
“Fine,” she huffed, “but I’m only dipping my feet in.”
He nudged her towards the stone structure. “Whatever you say, princess. Those are the changing rooms.”
“I’m not a princess,” she grumbled, marching off in the direction he pointed.The sooner I give him what he wants, the sooner we can leave.
“Then stop acting like one,” he called.
“You are so going to regret owing me,” she muttered under her breath.
The steel cubicles were in better condition than she’d expected, but she was still stung by his comment.Princess? A princess wouldn’t have tolerated his presence. A princess would have had him beheaded for his first insolent comment.
