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“Franklin is so easygoing. He was really able to roll with things.”
“That’s something that Noah has said about him over and over. And it’s something that I’ve seen in the few times I’ve interacted with him. He doesn’t get angry. In fact, I’m not sure Noah has ever seen him angry.”
“I guess anger is an emotion that humans are allowed to feel. I don’t hold that against anyone. I get angry. But it was just really nice to spend the night with someone who wasn’t holding it against anyone, who didn’t sit around and complain, who let it all slide, and just focused on what we needed to do. On being a decent human being, rather than on all the things he deserved but didn’t get.”
“In other words, he was humble and resourceful and the kind of companion you want to spend more time with.”
“Yeah.”
Maybe Sunday suspected that she might have been falling a little bit in love with Franklin. Who wouldn’t be after what she experienced with him?
She supposed that was only natural.
“Noah said he’d like to leave by six tomorrow. Does that work for you?”
“Of course,” Eleanor said, smiling with relief.
“I’ll plan to be over at five thirty to do your hair. After all, if you’re going to support Franklin, you want to look your best.”
There was a little bit of humor twinkling in Sunday’s eyes, and Eleanor figured she suspected there was more to it than just being friends.
But that’s all Eleanor wanted to be. She didn’t want to be hopelessly in love with someone who could never return those feelings. Of course, sometimes a person couldn’t control how they felt. But she could control what she did. God was clear about that.
She said goodbye to her sister, pushed her door open, and closed it behind her.
She could control her actions, and so she would.
The next day, she, Sunday, and Noah enjoyed a late brunch and then spent some time sightseeing before returning to the hotel to get ready. It didn’t take Eleanor too long to change into her dress, and she paced back and forth in her room until her sister arrived. If Sunday noticed her agitation at all, she didn’t comment on it, just smiled and chatted as she gave Eleanor’s hair a proper makeover.
Later that night, Noah pulled up to the gala, with Sunday in the front seat beside him.
Eleanor sat in the back, her heart beating hard.
She wasn’t sure why she was nervous. No one would be looking at her. No one would care.
It was probably just the idea of seeing Franklin again. Which was a little scary. She didn’t want to be so invested in him.
But she did want to support him. This was a big deal for him, and maybe seeing a friendly face would make his evening a little brighter.
Maybe they could share a smile over the night they’d shared recently.
Regardless, she pushed her nerves aside and got out, standing beside Sunday as Noah handed the keys to the valet.
He came up beside them, and Sunday put her hand in the crook of his arm. She put her other arm around Eleanor, and the three of them walked up the sidewalk to the front doors.
Eleanor was thankful for her new dress. It gave her confidence. Made her feel like even if she wasn’t exactly on the same plane as these people, she didn’t feel like she was at such a disadvantage.
It was obviously a place where everyone was expecting to have fun. There were smiles and laughter, and people looked eager for the evening to start.
“Noah said that this is the highlight of the Christmas season for Chicago,” Sunday said as she leaned her head down and spoke in Eleanor’s ear.
“I believe it. It just feels so...festive.” In a big-city kind of way. It wasn’t the cozy, small-town atmosphere, but it felt Christmasy all the same. Bright lights, decorated trees, gifts artistically arranged around them, the smell of good food and the sound of laughter and the dulcet tones of Christmas music waved through the air.
She wasn’t sure she’d ever been anywhere more magical.
They walked in, and it was hard for Eleanor to absorb it all. They were offered food from trays and drinks from the same, there were people on the dance floor dancing, and others sitting in seats, either watching the dancers or with food in front of them while they laughed and chatted with their neighbors.
Eleanor had a hard time resisting a table where the most delicious-looing pieces of key lime pie sat, artfully arranged. She promised herself she’d grab a slice before the evening was out.
