Page 66 of Healing Eleanor

I attempt to smile. I want to say no. But whoever Irina is… I’m not so sure.

“Um… no,” I utter, trying to convince myself more than anyone else.

Evelyn throws an arm over Lily’s shoulders, pulling her close. “Pudding, leave Nik and Eleanor alone. He was just doing what coaches do. Isn’t that right, Richard?” she asks, clearly looking to him for backup.

He dips his chin. “Sounds like it to me.”

Evelyn’s gaze shifts to him, a warm smile softening her lips. Their eyes meet, and something unspoken settles between them. Warmth, understanding, and possibly love. If love even exists. If it does, it’s definitely in their eyes right now.

Lily frowns, narrowing her eyes at her parents. “You two are old. You would never understand,” she says, then shifts to me. “I just want you to know, Nik never does that. And I mean never. I’ve known him my whole life, and I’ve never seen him take someone aside like that. One-on-one? Alone? That’s a first.”

“She’s speaking the truth,” Gabriel adds. “I’ve known him for…” He starts counting on his fingers. “Twelve years now.” He shrugs, tossing a few pieces of popcorn into his mouth. “I’m with Lils—never seen him correct someone as much as he does with you.” His smile spreads wider. “He must like you.” He chuckles under his breath.

My head snaps toward him. “I hope not.” I press a hand to my chest, my heart pounding harder with every passing second.

A wry smirk tugs at Gabriel’s mouth.

If Irina is someone like his wife, I’m in massive trouble. What happened with Soren was already enough to haunt me; this would be so much worse. It’s not just opening a bag of worms, it’s unlocking a cage of hungry snakes.

But honestly, what will it say about him? Cheating is common in the ballet world. Just look at Soren. Married with kids, and he still offered himself to me in exchange for a promotion.

I shiver at the memory.

Dillon stands without a word and slips his jacket off his shoulders, holding it out to me. “Here. You keep shivering.”

I take it gently. “Thank you.” I give him a small smile and drape it around my shoulders. It smells faintly of citrus and pine, still warm from his body.

He dips his chin. “No problem. It’s pretty warm out here anyway.”

Evelyn gives me a curious once-over. Her eyes sweep down and then back up again, and a small crease forms between her brows. Like I’m suddenly a puzzle she can’t solve.

I smile faintly in her direction, then turn back to the game. I have no idea what’s happening on the field, but honestly, anything is better than being analyzed. Still, I can’t help but wonder what she’s trying to see in me with just a single look.

Thankfully, the attention drifts from Nik and me and settles back on the game. The men shout praise toward the players while Lily, Evelyn, and I cheer for Grace on the sidelines. It’s… fun. So much fun that I forget about the chill in the air, Nik’s confusing moment with me earlier, and Dillon’s strange on-and-off mood.

As cheers erupt for the winning team in crimson and cream, I don’t think about whose jacket rests on my shoulders or the piercing blue eyes I’ve been trying to forget.

I jump up and down with Lily, laughing, breathless, and for once… free. For the first time in my life, I’m glad I made a decision without overthinking it.

13

You’re Just in the Vinegar

Nikolai

A light bulb hangs precariously between my lips as I silently pray I don’t electrocute myself while twisting the old one out of the socket. It’s stubborn, because of course it is, and by the time it finally gives, I’m one wobble away from making the ground my new best friend. I tuck the dead bulb into my sweater pocket and carefully take the new one from my mouth before it falls. It clicks into place with a satisfying twist. I test the switch, and warm light floods the worn entryway.

“Fifth time’s the charm,” I mutter under my breath.

Who would’ve thought I’d spend half my night at the hardware store hunting for the right light bulb? Not me, that’s for sure. But at least Mama can see her way inside now, that’s all that matters.

“Oh, Nikusha, thank you so much. I’ve been asking your father to change that for weeks now,” Mama says, poking her head out the front door.

Of course she has.

I bite back a sigh and give her a smile instead. “It’s no problem.” I jump off the stool and grab it by its handle. “Now go back inside and rest,” I tease, though I mean every word.

It’s too easy for Mama to get sick these days. The chemo is already shredding her immune system, and the last thing she needs is a cold on top of everything else. It’s bad enough worrying every second as it is. With Dad gone so much, Evelyn and I have been taking turns keeping an eye on her, much to Mama’s dismay. She says she doesn’t need a babysitter, but I beg to differ.