Page 141 of Healing Eleanor

Gabriel nods in agreement. “Yeah, we wouldn’t rat you out.”

I giggle. “That’s sweet of you both.” I take another bite of salad, chewing slowly. “But he hasn’t even called, texted, or come by to check on me. Not once. I think the ship has sailed. He wants nothing to do with me.”

“He hasn’t come to visit you?” Lily asks, her voice sharp with surprise. “But you’ve hung out outside rehearsals before. I don’t understand.”

“Wait, what?” Gabriel blinks.

Dillon’s brows draw together as his eyes dart between the three of us.

Lily tilts her head. “Yeah. He told me you went to his place to cook once. And that he’s taken you to Pot & Kettle a few times.”

“For real?” Dillon asks, stunned.

I look down, hiding behind another bite.

Gabriel swings his gaze to Dillon. “How does he tell her and not us? We’re supposed to be his best friends.” He jerks a thumb toward Lily.

“That’s what I’m wondering,” Dillon mutters.

Lily only smirks as she rips open another ketchup packet. “I’m basically his sister. Plus, I have a gift for nagging him until he caves.”

I chuckle softly, but the sound quickly fades into a quiet ache. “I miss him,” I admit, barely above a whisper.

Lily smacks the table dramatically. “Then go to him!”

Dillon shakes his head, eyes serious. “No way. He hasn’t even come to visit you.” He turns to me. “Don’t cave. Let him stew in his misery.”

Lily jabs Gabriel lightly on the arm. “Tell him, will you?” she urges, gesturing toward Dillon.

Gabriel sighs, throwing up his hands. “I won’t lie—I kind of agree with Dillon on this one.”

Lily pinches her lips, exasperated. “Of course you do.”

“I mean,” Gabriel continues, “why should Eleanor give him the time of day if he isn’t even checking up on her?”

Lily points at me sharply. “Because they love each other and should reconcile.”

I shake my head, unsure. “But he doesn’t even know I feel that way about him. And he’s angry that I lied to him.”

“Psshht,” Lily scoffs. “That’s just Nik’s heart defrosting and his emotions coming through. I’m sure if you reached out to him, he’d come back to you.”

Dillon crosses his arms. “I agree with Eleanor. Not that he doesn’t want anything to do with you—I think he does—but you should give him some space right now. Focus on yourself.”

“I agree,” Gabriel adds, nodding in support.

Lily groans, frustrated. “Stop making sense.” She sweeps her gaze across Gabriel, Dillon, and me. “I just want to see my best friends happy, that’s all.”

I grin softly. “I appreciate that.”

The rest of the night passes in a blur of laughter and chatter. Gabriel spills some tea about Paloma, explaining how he isn’t exactly a fan of working with her, while Lily and Dillon agree, claiming she’s gone full showgirl, expecting everyone to make way for her. The banter is light, silly, and exactly what I need.

Even with all the laughter, I can’t shake the thought of Nik. I wish he was here with us, sharing in the jokes and warmth. Instead, he’s somewhere out there, stewing in the sadness that I’ve caused.

They start to gather their things at ten. Gabriel cleans up the food while Dillon helps me tidy up a bit. Lily sits on the edge of my bed, her expression softening.

“Will you be alright?” she asks quietly.

I nod, though uncertainty lingers. “As much as I can be.”