Page 63 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“She just started walking ahead, so I thought I was bothering her,” Garrett said. When they rounded the corner, they caught a glimpse of Heather heading into the theatre.
“Is she okay?” Nina whispered to Autumn.
“I don’t know. I can’t figure her out. She’s nice, but there’s just something I can’t put my finger on,” Autumn said with a shrug.
“Maybe she struggles to make friends and gets awkward?” Nina suggested.
Autumn didn’t get a chance to reply before Garrett butted in. “Listen, I wanted to ask you, since Nina doesn’t think you will.”
“Will what?” There wasn’t much Autumn and Nina didn’t discuss.
“Go on a double date with us,” Garrett said smugly, and she nearly stumbled.
“But I’m not seeing anyone.”
“Nina said you’re living with Elijah Wells.”
Autumn didn’t like how he said Elijah’s full name.He must have looked him up. “We just live together. I doubt he would want to go,” she said. Why did Garrett want to go on a double date so badly?
“Bring him anyway; we’ll have a good time,” Garrett said. “I’ve been thinking of buying some stocks in Nirosoft, but since he left the company, I’m not sure. I’d love to pick his brains before I make a final decision.”
Autumn resisted the urge to scoff. Garrett might like to think of himself as a businessman, but all he did was reinvest money he’d earned through his inheritance and surround himself with successful people to make him seem more important.
“I don’t think Elijah has the time; he’s really busy with work.”He doesn’t even know Elijah and he wants to use him for his own gain?She wanted to slap him and keep Elijah as far away from him as possible.I can’t believe I’m protecting the man I wanted to get rid of only two weeks ago.I blame his aftershave.
“But there’s only another week before the concert and then you might be going on tour. We should all go to dinner and celebrate all the hard work you’ve both put in,” Garrett insisted.
“I guess I can ask him.”When he says no, then I can at least tell Nina I asked.Anything to stop Garrett from pushing. She didn’t know how Nina could deal with him. Elijah wasn’t perfect, but Garrett had a slimy aura that made him intolerable.
“Really? I didn’t think you would say yes,” Nina exclaimed. Garrett held the door for them. Autumn couldn’t wait to get back to the stage and away from him.
“It’s a maybe. Like I said, Elijah is rather busy at the minute. I’ll have to let you know.”
“Let’s say Little Forest, the Italian ‘round the corner from the concert hall—they’re supposed to have the best pizza. Nina can text you the reservation. Say next week? Thursday at seven?” Garrett said, obviously not planning to leave until he got the answer he wanted.
Nina gave Autumn a nervous look. It was obvious that Garrett wanted to meet Elijah more than he was interested in a double dinner date.
“Sure. If we can’t make it, at least you can use the table yourselves,” Autumn agreed, giving herself an out. She didn’t like being forced into plans. She never knew what physical state she would be in, and anyway, she didn’t want Elijah to have to suffer a night of Garrett’s inane questions.
“Great. I’ll book the table for next Thursday.” Garrett’s decisive tone rubbed Autumn the wrong way. She wondered if he was only bringing this up because he and Nina had been fighting; he was the type who liked to prove to everyone else that their relationship was perfect.
Garrett kissed Nina goodbye, and when the theatre door closed, she noticed Nina fidgeting.
“I don’t want you to feel any pressure—it was only an idea. I didn’t mean to tell him about Elijah. Before we fought, I was just thinking it would be great if you two got together so we could double date. I didn’t think he’d jump on the idea.”
Autumn didn’t want her to be apologising on Garrett’s behalf. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not sure if I can convince Elijah; he really is busy with work,” she said, trying to put Nina at ease. She didn’t want them to have another fight because of her. Still, she didn’t like another person knowing they lived together. She liked the secrecy of her and Elijah’s little bubble without outside pressure. The world already knew so much about both of them. The accident was public knowledge; all someone had to do was Google her.
“I’m sure Elijah won’t mind. It might be good to get to know the man who is making my friend glow.” Nina nudged her, and Autumn nearly dropped her tray of coffee. Heather was already on stage, handing out the drinks.
“There is no glow! And even if there was, it has nothing to do with Elijah,” Autumn lied, though she couldn’t help smiling. It had everything to do with Elijah, and even if she wasn’t ready to tell Nina, she suspected her friend already knew what was developing between them.
The rest of the orchestra called out to them, eagerly waiting for their coffees.
“We shall see. You can lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to me,” Nina teased, before joining the others on the stage.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Autumn
