Page 88 of Healing Eleanor

“I’ll be right back, just gotta go to the restroom,” Eleanor says to Lily, then slips out the door.

Lily strides up to me as I pack my bag. “Rough day today, huh?” she voices, clicking her tongue.

I scoff. “No kidding.” I heave my bag over my shoulder. “Hey, earlier during lunch, did Eleanor go with you?”

Lily shakes her head. “No, she said she wasn’t feeling well. Only Dillon, Gabriel, and I went to lunch.”

Hope drains out of me. I knew she was lying. I clench my teeth and just nod silently.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Lily starts, clapping her hands together. “Am I still able to bring cupcakes for my birthday next week?” she asks with a sneaky smile.

“Yes, but I think per Kasper, they need to be store bought,” I say.

Lily’s smile crumbles. “Boo, that’s no fun.” She crosses her arms like a petulant child.

I snort. “Sorry, kiddo.”

She points a finger at me. “Don’t call me that, Nicholas.”

I hold up my hands in surrender. “You’re right, you’re about to be an old woman. Sorry.”

Lily saunters over, a smug grin plastered on her face, circling me like a shark would with its prey. Then she dramatically gasps, ruffling my hair. “Is that a gray hair?”

I whirl on her. “Absolutely not.” I pause for a second, shaking my head, and mutter under my breath, “At least I hope not.”

Lily roars with laughter.

Eleanor returns to the studio, glancing between Lily and me, clearly confused. “Did I miss something?”

Between laughs, Lily gasps out, “Nik has gray hair!” Her words came in short, wheezing bursts.

“I do not!” I protest. “I’m only thirty-three. I don’t have gray hair.”

Eleanor chuckles, and relief bubbles up in my stomach. Even if it’s at my expense, her laughter is slowly becoming one of my favorite sounds.

Lily continues chuckling. “I gotta get out of here. I have to pick up Grace from cheer practice tonight. Later, Eleanor.” She waves, grinning. “See ya, Grandpa.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I have no idea how I put up with her,” I mutter to no one in particular, snatching a stack of papers from the podium.

Eleanor giggles. “Because she’s your oldest friend?”

I hold the door open for her. “Precisely.”

I stop in front of Mama’s door, as we walk down the hallway. “Give me one sec. I just need to drop this off for my mom,” I say, lifting a stack of paperwork Kasper asked me to deliver. After he told her she needed to start making new costumes, Kasper had been more than a little afraid of Mama. More than he’d ever admit. So now I got to do his dirty work. I laugh quietly to myself. Only Kasper would be afraid of her.

Eleanor nods and waits in the hallway. Once the papers are strategically placed—because let’s be honest, the room is a wreck—we make our way down to my car.

When we settle in the car, I turn onto the main road, taking the now-familiar path to Eleanor’s apartment. Soft music plays in the background, and the weather is surprisingly mild. Snow will probably come soon, and the thought doesn’t appeal to me. My mind drifts to Eleanor, the mystery she seems to carry, and the way she both draws me in and unsettles me all at once.

“It’s nice your mom works in the same building,” Eleanor voices, breaking the silence. Her soft smile catches me off guard. “I’m sure she enjoys having you around.”

I smirk. “She does. I think she finds comfort in knowing she can bully me whenever she wants.”

Eleanor laughs. Then she fiddles with her hands in her lap. “Have you two always worked in ballet?”

I keep my eyes on the road. “No. My sister and I used to dance here. My mom has always been a seamstress for various companies, but after my injury, Kasper offered me a job here and then one for my mom. Been here ever since.”

Eleanor gives a sideways glance. “Sister?”