Page 65 of Healing Eleanor

Lily notices because she gestures in my direction. “Mom, Dad—this is Eleanor. She’s one of our new principal dancers at Hollingford.”

Recognition flashes in her mother’s eyes. “Oh,” she says, offering her hand. “Evelyn. It’s so nice to finally meet you. Lily’s said so many good things.”

My cheeks burn. At least I have my embarrassment to keep me warm. “Nice to meet you,” I say, smiling politely as I shake her hand.

Her father steps forward. “Nice to meet you, Eleanor. I’m Richard.” He extends his hand, his tone warm but steady.

“You as well,” I say, accepting his handshake.

Evelyn and Richard nestle between Lily and Dillon.

Evelyn reaches over and plucks a nacho from Lily’s tray. “So, how are you liking Hollingford, Eleanor? Hopefully Nik hasn’t been too much of a pain.” She speaks around a bite, laughing as she looks at me.

“It’s been good so far,” I answer. “Nik’s been… tough, to say the least.”

Lily scoffs beside me. “Tough is one way to put it. He’s like… obsessed with you.”

“Lillian,” Evelyn chides, shooting her a warning look. “Don’t say that.”

Lily rolls her eyes. “Mom,” she says, narrowing her eyes, “he called a random fifteen-minute break today just to be alone with her. If that’s not obsessed, then what is?”

Evelyn leans forward to look at me, one brow raised. “Really?”

“He was helping me with my rond de jambe à terre,” I say promptly, like it’s an excuse I’ve rehearsed a hundred times.

“By the way,” Lily adds, popping a piece of popcorn into her mouth. “You still haven’t spilled the beans on that little moment. I need to know what happened in that room—stat.”

“You don’t need to explain anything, Eleanor,” Evelyn says, though curiosity lingers on her face.

“Yeah, I’ve been curious about that too,” Gabriel chimes in, having clearly been eavesdropping.

Every pair of eyes—Gabriel’s, Dillon’s, Richard’s, Evelyn’s, and Lily’s—are to me. My palms start sweating and my mind goes blank.

Lily grins, fingers steepling. “Time to spill the tea, Eleanor.”

I twist my fingers in my lap. “Like I said… he was only helping me with my rond de jambe—”

“Yeah, yeah, we got that,” Lily interrupts. “What we need to know is how he helped.” She wiggles her brows.

“Come on, Lily.” Dillon leans forward, eyes bouncing between me and Lily. “Nik is our friend, yes, but he is also our coach. I’m sure nothing went on,” he says, raising a questioning brow in my direction.

Lily waves him off. “No, no. I can sense she’s withholding some very interesting information…” She says to Dillon, then turns to me, eyes sparkling. “Well?”

Nik’s like a brother to Lily, isn’t he? Why does she care about him coaching me?

“He… uh,” I stumble, my face growing hot. “He showed me how to do it more smoothly.” I clear my throat. “He grabbed me—uh, here.” I gesture vaguely to my hip. “Just to hold it in place. Then he helped me relax my wrist. That’s pretty much it.”

Lily squeals, fist punching the air in triumph.

Richard palms his face. Evelyn tries to calm Lily down. Gabriel’s grin stretches wider than I’ve seen all evening. Dillon’s face remains passive.

“Shut. The. Front. Door!” Lily screeches, clearly disregarding Evelyn. “Wait until I tell Irina!”

The color drains from my face. Oh no.

“All right, all right,” Richard says, reaching behind Evelyn to pat Lily’s back. “Don’t scare the poor girl now.”

“Please, Dad,” Lily drawls, brushing him off, “I’m not scaring her… am I?” She pins me with her gaze.