Chapter 11: Eleanor

Eleanor pulled on her pyjamas and flopped onto her bed, staring blankly at her phone screen. Hours had passed, and Luke still hadn't called. Did that mean Cory's condition hadn't improved, or had he simply forgotten to update her?

Her friend Melissa, lounging on the couch beside her, chuckled. "Just call him, Elly. You're going to burn a hole through your phone at this rate." Their dog, Bonnie, barked in agreement.

Eleanor scowled at both of them. "I can't just 'call' him," she said, rolling her eyes. "What if I'm interfering?"

Melissa groaned, munching on a bag of chips. "Elly, don't you think you're overthinking this just a bit too much? Luke agree to keep you updated, and you're worried about bothering him?"

Eleanor pouted, her brow furrowed in concern. "I don't want to be a nuisance, Melissa. They're going through a tough time."

Melissa sighed, setting the chips aside. "Elly, trust me, Luke will appreciate the concern. Just send him a quick text, 'Hey, how's Cory doing?' Simple."

Eleanor hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen. Maybe Melissa was right. Maybe it was time to stop overthinking and just reach out.

Eleanor took a deep breath and typed out a quick message. "Hey Luke, just wanted to check in and see how Cory's doing. Hope everything is okay."

She hesitated for a moment before hitting send. Melissa nodded in approval. "See, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

Eleanor smiled, feeling a sense of relief. "I guess not."

Her phone buzzed a few minutes later, and Eleanor's heart skipped a beat as she saw Luke's name on the screen.

"Cory's stable, thanks for checking in. We're taking it one day at a time. Appreciate your support, Eleanor."

Eleanor's eyes welled up with tears as she read the message. She was glad Cory was stable, and she felt a sense of gratitude that Luke had taken the time to update her.

Melissa noticed her tears and handed her a tissue. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Eleanor's sniffled wiping away her tears, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "I'm just so glad Cory's okay," she said, her voice still shaky. "I was really scared when he passed out."

Melissa nodded understandingly, offering a comforting smile. "You're an amazing person, Elly. You care about people, and they notice that." She playfully tossed chips at Eleanor. "Now, quit crying! You're ruining our fun that's yet to begin."

Eleanor laughed, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend. "Thanks, Mel."

As they munched on chips, Melissa asked, "So, how's work?"

Eleanor's expression turned positive. "Apart from the whole fainting incident, work has been great. The kids are sweethearts, and the staff is really supportive."

Melissa nodded, her eyes sparkling with interest. "That's awesome. And what about Peter?" she asked cautiously, knowing about his infidelity.

Eleanor's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Peter? He's...not in the picture anymore. And I'm better off without him."

Melissa nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, you deserve so much better than a cheater like him."

Eleanor took a deep breath, letting the tension release. "Yeah, I know. It's just...it still hurts sometimes. But I'm trying to move on."

Melissa offered a supportive smile. "That's all you can do, Elly. Move on and find someone who actually deserves you."

Eleanor's thoughts drifted to Luke, but she quickly pushed the idea aside. "Yeah, maybe someday."

Melissa's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I have a feeling someday might come sooner than you think."

Eleanor playfully rolled her eyes, attempting to conceal the flutter in her chest. "Melissa, stop it," she said with a laugh, trying to sound nonchalant despite her growing unease.

Melissa persisted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Don't try to deny it, Elly. You feel something there, don't you?" She teased, wagging her eyebrows.

Eleanor's face grew warm as she tried to deflect the question. "He's married, Mel," she deadpanned, hoping to shut down the conversation.

Melissa shrugged, unfazed. "With kids," Eleanor added, emphasizing the point.

Melissa's grin only grew wider. "You don't actually know that for sure," she said, her voice laced with amusement.

Eleanor rolled her eyes, her sarcasm dripping like honey. "Then where did the kids come from, heaven?"

Melissa, mouth full of chips, munched loudly, her words muffled. "Kids originally come from heaven, but he couldn't have a baby mama, you know? So, say he's divorced or even better, his wife's dead." She cackled, clearly entertained by her own theories.

Eleanor made a face, exasperated. "Sometimes I wonder if you're mentally ill," she said, shaking her head.

Melissa, still grinning, blew her a kiss. "Awwww, I love you too, Elly!" She said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.

Eleanor couldn't help but laugh, despite herself. "You're impossible, Mel."

"Anyway, you could just ask him,"Melissa continued

Eleanor's voice dripped with sarcasm. "That's a brilliant idea, I'll just walk up to him and say, 'Hey Luke, I just wanted to know if you're married, despite having three kids'" she said, mocking the idea.

Melissa nodded thoughtfully. "That's one way to go about it, but I'll suggest more subtle measures."

The two friends stared at each other, before bursting into laughter. "You're crazy, Mel!" Eleanor said, clutching her stomach in laughter.

Melissa shrugged, grinning, while munching on more chips. "I know, that's one of my many charms."

As they composed themselves, Melissa turned serious. "But honestly, are you interested in Luke? I could help you go about it."

Eleanor thought about it, her expression turning contemplative. Was she really interested in Luke Ashton? She adored his kids, but was she drawn to their father? An image of Peter flashed in her mind, making her shudder. Her heart still ached from the past, and she wasn't ready to open herself up to another person.

"Thanks, Mel, but I'm really not interested," Eleanor confessed.

Melissa pouted, feigning disappointment. "Here I was, thinking I could base my next novel on you and Spicy Daddy. I guess not." She pretended to wipe away tears, eliciting a laugh from Eleanor.

Melissa's dramatic sigh filled the air, making Eleanor chuckle. "Don't worry, Mel. You'll find another juicy story to write about."

As they laughed, the tension dissipated, and Eleanor felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was grateful for Melissa's unwavering support and friendship.

"Thanks for being here for me, Mel," Eleanor said, her voice sincere.

Melissa's expression softened. "Always, Elly. Now, let's focus on something more important... like our next movie night."

Eleanor smiled, feeling a sense of normalcy return. "Sounds like a plan."

As they chatted, the conversation flowed effortlessly, covering everything from movies to work gossip. The evening wore on, and Eleanor realized she had forgotten about Luke Ashton and her earlier doubts.

For now, she was content in the warmth of their friendship, the comfort of familiar routines, and the promise of new adventures to come.