Page 76 of Ms Perfectly Fine
Elijah clapped, loving the way she buried her head in her hands when embarrassed.
“That was incredible. I can’t wait to see you on stage.” He sat beside her on the bench, tracing her fingers on the keys.
“This was for fun. I was feeling inspired,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder.
“Oh, really? Would I have anything to do with that?” He kissed the side of her head. It was as though the last wall between them had finally come down, and he never wanted to feel it there again.
“Maybe,” she said, slipping her fingers between his.
“Is there something on your mind?”
“Just thinking about Nina. I hope she’s okay. As much as I’ve enjoyed our weekend together, she just broke up with Garrett, and I feel bad that I haven’t seen her.”
Elijah understood her concern. “I would have thought you’d be relieved they’ve broken up,” he said, silently relieved they wouldn’t have to go to dinner and that Autumn would no longer have to be around someone who made her uncomfortable.
“I am, but I don’t want her to hurt.”
He loved how much she cared. He would have felt the same way if it were Francis. “Sadly, it’s Monday. You’ll be reunited with her in a few hours,” he reminded her, taking her chin in his hand. “You’ve got a big heart, Autumn Adler.”
She looked up at him with those big eyes that made him weak. “Are you sure you can look after it?”
“Let’s get you back to bed, and I’ll think of a way.”
She slapped him playfully. He carried her back upstairs.If she isn’t going to look after herself, I’ll take great joy in doing it for her.
“Have you seen my keys?”Elijah asked as they both got ready to leave in the hallway. “I think I gave them to you last night.”
Autumn searched in her bag as he opened the front door, and then he felt her freeze beside him. She reached down slowly to pick up the red rose on the doormat. There was a message with it this time. Elijah felt the blood drain from his face as he picked it up.
“Let’s not let it ruin our day,” Autumn said, putting the rose in the bin outside, but he had to know.
Enjoy your performance. You never know when it might be your last x
Son of a bitch.Elijah’s jaw clenched, and he walked down the front steps to her. He read the note over and over until the paper crumpled in his grasp. “This is a direct threat. We have to go to the police! This is about your safety.” His heart was pounding.
“I don’t think it’s anything to get worked up over,” Autumn said. She placed a reassuring hand on his heart. “Please don’t worry about it. You have a meeting and I have morning practice; we can talk about it later.”
He stared at her, wondering how she could remain so calm. Maybe it was because the alternative frightened her too much. He noticed she settled a protective hand on her lower back and wondered if it was just an instinct to protect her most vulnerable spot or if she was in pain.
“Autumn, please. This letter has no envelope; they were outside while we slept. You don’t have to ignore this. I won’t let anything happen to you.” The thought of someone standing on their doorstep drove him crazy. Why had Brinkley, who went insane for the post, never reacted to the rose being delivered? The dog was trying to say her goodbyes to them, but they were too wrapped up in the conversation.
“What if all this person wants is a reaction?” Autumn suggested, but he wasn’t going to risk her safety on that reasoning.
“Francis’s husband is a detective. At least let me consult with him.”
She shook her head. “No, please don’t. I can’t handle a circus right now,” she pleaded, reaching for him. She stepped into his arms, and he never wanted to let her go.
“You have a stalker,” he said, kissing her hair. “You might be able to brush off the roses left on the anniversary, but this note is an actual threat. To know where you live, they have to be someone who knows you.”How anyone who knows her could think she deserves to be treated this way after everything she’s been through is a crime in itself.
Autumn stepped out of his reach, running her hands through her hair. “It isn’t necessarily someone I know. Anyone could know about the accident. All you have to do is Google me to discover my tragic backstory. Even if we call the police, what will we tell them? I’ve received roses on the fifteenth of every month for the last three years—”
He stopped her. “Every month? You’ve been getting roses every month for three years? I thought it was only once a year!”
“You jealous?” she teased.
“Please don’t joke. I have a mind to lock you inside and not let you out until I catch this prick.” He huffed, pacing. “Three years…that’s oddly specific. Tim told me you’ve been back playing for six.”
She listened while he played detective, folding her arms across her chest.
