Page 69 of Ms Perfectly Fine
Autumn’s eyes went wide. “I don’t know what to say,” she whispered.
The knocking intensified.
“Can we talk about this later? I can’t think with someone banging on the door.”
Elijah wanted to go to her, but he couldn’t force her.I have to work on my timing!“Later is fine. This isn’t how I wanted to tell you. Just…think about it,” he said, and she nodded, clearly lost in her own thoughts.
Once she was concealed in a cubicle, he went to the door and unlocked it.
“Sorry, I don’t know how that happened; the lock must have jammed,” he said to the stranger, who ignored him and headed for another empty cubicle.
Elijah thought about waiting for her; the bathroom was unisex, so it didn’t matter if they were seen together so long as it wasn’t in a compromising position, but he figured that she might need a minute to compose herself after he had blurted out his feelings at the worst time.I’ll see her back at the table. The last thing I want to do is crowd her.He let the door close behind him.
He hadn’t reached the table before Tim stopped him.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Autumn
AUTUMN LET OUT a sigh of relief when she heard Elijah leave. Resting her back on the door, she attempted to gather her thoughts.
I don’t know how I’ve gone from hating him to letting him do the most delicious things to me in a public place,she thought, using her fingers to detangle her hair before straightening her jacket. Shame and excitement coiled within her.Maybe the hate our relationship started with is what makes him so irresistible. I thought a week apart would distance us, but it only made me want him all the more…and clearly he feels the same, or he wouldn’t have confessed his feelings.
When she heard the other guest leave, she made her way down the hall.What am I supposed to say to him? I don’t want him to leave, but he really has the worst timing. Between moving in and confessing—what is wrong with him?Lost in thought, she was about to turn the corner to re-enter the main room when she caught sight of Elijah and his father talking. Autumn lingered out of sight, but just about able to make out their conversation.
“You must tell me how you bribed Autumn to attend,” Tim said, and she rolled her eyes.Why does everyone care what events I attend and don’t attend?
“I didn’t have to bribe her. She clearly cares about the hospital, so I was more than happy to accompany her,” Elijah said, and she watched him straightening his tie, clearly uncomfortable at his father’s line of questioning.
“And the fact that you both disappeared at the same time?” Tim’s question was barely audible, but it made her blush, mortified to know that their absence had been noted.
“I suggest you mind your own business. What Autumn and I do is between us,” Elijah snapped, and she buried her face in her hands.
“Treat her right. I won’t have you disrupting her life; she’s been through enough,” Tim said, squaring up to his son.
Autumn was taken aback by his tone and the hypocrisy of his statement. He was just as responsible for disrupting her life as Elijah was, if not more so. Elijah never would have moved in without his permission. She wasn’t used to seeing this side of Tim.I can’t believe he’s taking my side over his son’s! Elijah wouldn’t hurt me. I’m the one who’s more likely to doom whatever is happening between us.
The realisation made her heart ache. She could only imagine how much Tim’s words hurt Elijah; for a father to treat his son this way made her want to wrap her arms around him and protect him.
“It’sourrelationship. I would never hurt her. Unlike you, I treat the woman I love with respect.”
Elijah’s words make her pulse quicken.Love?
The word washed over her. At first she wanted to go to him, but her feet wouldn’t move. Suddenly, a chill rushed through her. She felt like the floor was going to open up and swallow her whole. She didn’t want to come between father and son, especially when Tim had always looked out for her, while her own father couldn’t accept her return to the city. She certainly wasn’t ready, nor did she think Elijah was ready, to share with others what was developing between them—which Elijah had confirmed was love.Does he reallyloveme? We barely know each other!
She placed a hand over her stomach as it flipped. She couldn’t face returning to the table to sit beside him and pretend that she hadn’t heard his conversation with Tim.
You just need some air. Give yourself a few minutes,she thought, and though it was cowardly, she slipped past the men and into the crowd of guests, making her way to the entrance before Elijah could notice her leaving.
You can’t just run after he told you he wants to be with you,her conscience scolded her as she tasted fresh air. The cool breeze was a welcome distraction from her burning skin.
She knew she was running away from her feelings as much as she was running away from him. His touch had set her on fire and she needed to extinguish it, for both their sakes. She knew from first-hand experience that playing with fire got you burnt.
I’m such a coward,she thought as she found refuge in a taxi. She froze when the driver asked her for the address.If I go home, I’ll have to face Elijah, and I don’t think I have the willpower to not give in to him.She gave the driver Nina’s address and hoped her friend would be alone.
The guilt of abandoning Elijah weighed on her heart, but she desperately needed to figure out the mess they had made. She thought about leaning in to her feelings for him, but it was too complicated. They lived together; it was like moving ten steps forward in their relationship.
Once she’d paid her fare outside the flat complex, she buzzed her friend’s number and prayed that she didn’t have company.
