Page 121 of Healing Eleanor

“Thanks for understanding.” She gives my arm a squeeze. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you.” I wave as she hurries out.

The door closes, leaving me with Nik. A sharp, familiar anxiety settles into my chest. I don’t know if I should say anything. If it’s worth risking the potential rejection.

I hitch my bag higher and start toward the door. “Have a good night, Nik.” My voice is small, careful.

His eyes snap up, catching mine. “Where are you going?”

I rub the back of my neck, trying to ease the tension crawling up my spine. “Um… home?”

“How, when I’m driving you?” Confusion laces his tone.

My brow furrows. “You are?”

He nods, gesturing toward the door. “Lily asked me to. Didn’t she tell you?”

Dang it, Lily. I’m being tossed around like a sack of potatoes between the two of them. “Oh. She didn’t mention it. But it’s okay, I’ll just call a cab.”

Nik straightens, his stance hardening. “You don’t want me to take you?”

I wave a hand dismissively. “Wouldn’t want to inconvenience you.”

His jaw tightens, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “You wouldn’t be.” The words come out sharp, edged with irritation.

“Really? Because it sure feels like it. You’ve been dumping me off on Lily all week.” I say it before I can stop myself.

His nostrils flare. “Dumping you off? I didn’t—”

“Yes, you did.” My arms cross over my chest, holding myself together. “Ever since that night, you’ve been avoiding me. Ignoring me. Call it whatever you want, Nik, but don’t pretend it’s not true.”

I spin and storm off, my footsteps cracking against the polished floors, heart pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears.

“Eleanor—wait!” His voice chases me down the hallway.

I don’t stop. I can’t. My throat aches, my eyes burn, and if I turn around and let him see, I’ll surely break.

Heavy footsteps close in behind me. Then his hand wraps around my arm, gentle but firm, bringing me to a halt.

“Don’t walk away from me,” Nik says, breathless.

I yank against his grip, but he doesn’t let go. “Why not? You’ve been avoiding me all week.” My voice cracks, and I hate myself for it.

His jaw clenches, eyes stormy with something I can’t read. Guilt? Anger? Both? “I wasn’t avoiding you. I was—” He stops, pressing his lips into a thin line. “I was trying to protect you.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “By ignoring me?”

“Yes,” he snaps, then forces his voice lower. “What we’ve been doing…” His eyes fall to the floor. “It shouldn’t be happening.”

The air thickens between us, the silence sharp enough to cut through bone. His hand loosens on my arm, sliding down until his fingers brush mine.

My breathing turns rapid as a surge of energy rushes through my limbs. “Nik…” I whisper, not sure if it’s a plea or a warning.

His eyes darken as his gaze drops to my lips for just a second. That second is enough to make my knees weak, enough to make me hope.

Then he pulls his hand away abruptly, pure agony flashing across his face. He steps back, hands in his hair, chest heaving. “This—whatever this is—it can’t—won’t—happen.”

My breath hitches, the air leaving my lungs as reality sets in.