The private restaurant was almost completely empty.
That was exactly how Eleanor liked it.
The restaurant was one of the most exclusive places in Chicago, reserved mostly for wealthy clients, celebrities, and people who valued privacy.
Tonight, however, it wasn't business.
It was girls' night.
Eleanor sat comfortably between Charlotte and Genevieve, enjoying a glass of sparkling water while Charlotte complained about one of her latest fashion projects.
"I swear, if that model changes the way I designed that dress one more time, I'm going to lose my mind."
Genevieve laughed.
"You say that every time."
"Because every time, someone tests my patience."
Charlotte rolled her eyes.
"You have no idea how difficult fashion is."
Genevieve raised an eyebrow.
"Coming from the woman who changes boyfriends every other week?"
Charlotte gasped dramatically.
"Excuse me?"
Eleanor burst out laughing.
"You heard her."
Charlotte pointed at Genevieve.
"You're supposed to be on my side."
"I am."
"You clearly aren't."
Genevieve smiled.
"I'm just stating facts."
Charlotte leaned back in her chair.
"I'm young, I'm successful, I'm beautiful, and I'm enjoying my life."
"By enjoying your life, you mean dating every attractive Alpha who looks at you twice?"
Charlotte smiled proudly.
"Exactly."
Eleanor shook her head.
"You're impossible."
"And you're boring."
"I'm not boring."
Charlotte looked at her.
"You've been single for how long?"
Eleanor opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Genevieve laughed.
"Exactly."
Charlotte leaned closer.
"Besides, unlike you two, I'm living."
Genevieve shook her head.
"I'm perfectly happy with Lauren."
Her expression softened at the mention of her fiancé.
Charlotte smiled.
"You're hopeless."
"I'm in love."
"You've been saying that since the day you met her."
"Because it's true."
Genevieve looked at the ring on her finger.
Lauren was her Alpha fiancé, and unlike Charlotte, Genevieve had no interest in playing games.
She was serious about her relationship.
Eleanor smiled.
"I'm happy for you."
Genevieve reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
"And someday, you'll understand."
Eleanor laughed.
"Don't count on it."
---
The conversation continued until Eleanor's phone vibrated.
She glanced down casually.
Then froze.
The message was from Raven.
Have you eaten?
Eleanor's expression immediately softened.
Charlotte noticed.
She stopped talking.
Genevieve noticed too.
"Oh."
Eleanor looked up.
"What?"
Charlotte leaned across the table.
"Who texted you?"
"No one."
Genevieve smiled.
"That's definitely not a no one face."
Eleanor locked her phone.
"Can we please continue our conversation?"
Charlotte narrowed her eyes.
"Was it Raven?"
Eleanor almost choked.
"What?"
Charlotte grinned.
"It was Raven."
Genevieve laughed.
"Your entire face changed."
"It did not."
"It absolutely did," Genevieve said.
Charlotte leaned back.
"Look at her."
Eleanor tried to maintain a straight face.
"Both of you are ridiculous."
Her phone vibrated again.
She looked down.
Another message.
I know you're out. Don't skip dinner.
Eleanor smiled before she could stop herself.
Charlotte slammed her hand on the table.
"There!"
Genevieve burst out laughing.
"You're smiling!"
"I am not."
"You are!"
Eleanor put her phone face down.
"Can we please eat?"
Charlotte folded her arms.
"So Raven is the reason you've suddenly started smiling at your phone?"
"No."
"Then why are you smiling?"
Eleanor remained silent.
Genevieve looked at Charlotte.
"I think we have our answer."
---
Charlotte picked up her glass.
"To Raven."
Eleanor stared at her.
"Don't."
"To the mysterious woman who finally managed to make Eleanor blush."
"I am not blushing."
Genevieve laughed.
"You are."
Eleanor covered her face briefly.
"I hate both of you."
Charlotte smiled.
"No, you don't."
Eleanor looked at her phone again.
Another message appeared.
I'll call you later.
Her heart skipped.
She quickly put the phone away.
Charlotte stared at her.
"You're in trouble."
Eleanor laughed.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Genevieve smiled knowingly.
"Neither do you."
---
Outside the restaurant, a black car waited several meters away.
Inside, Raven sat quietly.
Her phone was in her hand.
She stared at Eleanor's last message.
I'll talk to you later ❤️
Raven looked at the small heart.
For several seconds, she simply stared.
Then, without realizing it, she smiled.
Jane sat in the front passenger seat.
She glanced at Raven through the mirror.
"Everything okay?"
Raven immediately returned to her usual expression.
"Yes."
Jane smiled.
"Eleanor?"
Raven looked out the window.
"Drive."
Jane laughed quietly.
"Yes, ma'am."
But Raven couldn't stop looking at the message.
For someone who had spent years building walls around her heart, she was beginning to realize something dangerous.
Eleanor was slowly becoming the exception.
And Raven wasn't sure she wanted to stop it.
To be continued…