Ellie had picked up your instigating early on. Nights when you two were talking about anything under the sun and then Joel just so happened to come up. She’d shut you down and that was it until the next time.

She had become wary of your attempts. You were her best friend and you were worried, sure. It was sweet but why couldn’t you just stay out of it? Had Joel put you up to this?

Ellie glanced at you from behind her cards. You hadn’t made a move tonight but she couldn’t be too careful. “So…” She put down two cards, briefly smirking at your disgruntled reaction before going back to the pile to grab more. “Not gonna ask me anything in particular tonight?” She put the cards down on the bed. "Come on, I know you wanna ask." She said, exasperated