At first, Henry thought his eyes were ying tricks on him. He blinked, but no, he hadn''t imagined it-Eleanor and Xavier really were sitting together in a test drive


    car.


    From the backseat of Henry''s own car, Vanessa and Faye had noticed them as well. They were at the dealership today to help Faye pick out a new car.


    "Xavier sure is attentive to Eleanor! Do you think he''s buying her a new set of wheels?" Vanessa teased, folding her arms as she looked at Henry.


    Henry shook his head. "I have no idea. Come on, let''s go check out that Continental GT-the blue one would look great on you, Faye."


    By now, Eleanor''s test drive had already started, and Henry led Vanessa and Faye into the showroom to browse.


    Faye was in high spirits about getting a new car, but seeing Eleanor just now had dampened her mood. Who would''ve thought they''d both end up choosing the same brand?


    Inside the test drive car, Eleanor focused intently on how the car handled, while Xavier sat in the passenger seat, asionally offering professional suggestions.


    Eleanor was more than satisfied with the car''s performance, and as she concentrated on the road ahead, Xavier couldn''t help but be drawn to her. Just being close to her felt like a gift.


    On the way back, Xavier admitted honestly that he''d asked Ellington where she''d be today. He said he''d only hoped to run into her, never expecting he actually would.


    Eleanor''s breath caught for a moment. She turned to Xavier, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you for looking out for me, Xavier."


    "It''s nothing," Xavier replied with a gentle smile.


    The dealership manager, sitting in the back, quickly picked up on the chemistry between them. Discreetly, he kept silent, determined to fade into the background.


    Eleanor drove back to the dealership and she and Xavier discussed their impressions of the car as they got out. As soon as they stepped back inside, they spotted Henry, Vanessa, and Faye, who were about to go for their own test drive.


    "Xavier! What a coincidence. I didn''t expect to see you car shopping too," Vanessa greeted them with a bright smile.


    Henry nced at Eleanor. Ever since he''d privately warned her offst time, she''d grown a good deal colder toward him. Still, Henry took the initiative. "Miss Sutton," he said in greeting.


    Eleanor nodded, ignoring the other two, and turned to Xavier. "You all go ahead and chat. I''ll be over there."


    Behind her, Vanessa called out yfully, "So, Xavier, when are we getting our wedding invite?"


    Xavier''s expression froze for a second, his face turning cool. Henry interjected, "Vanessa, Xavier and Eleanor are just friends."


    "Faye, go take that test drive. Your sister and I will be right here," Henry said, ushering Faye toward the sales manager.


    Faye nodded and followed the manager out.


    "I''ll catch up with youter," Xavier said to Henry before heading off.


    Sensing Xavier''s coldness, Vanessa let the matter drop. Still, it was obvious- Xavier was fiercely protective of Eleanor.


    Henry watched Xavier walk toward the VIP office and turned to Vanessa.


    "Vanessa, stop making jokes about Eleanor and Xavier."


    Vanessa gave him a knowing look. "Seems like you and Xavier aren''t as close as


    you used to be. Eleanor really is something, isn''t she?"


    Just then, Henry''s phone rang. He nced at the screen. "It''sn."


    "Pick up-let''s see what he wants. But don''t mention I''m with you," Vanessa said,


    taking a few steps away.


    Henry answered, "Hey,n."


    "Mr. Brown''s hosting a dinner tonight-he wants the three of us there. Can you tell Xavier?"n said on the other end.


    "Oh, Xavier''s right here with me," Henry replied.


    "You''re together?"n sounded surprised.


    "At the Bentley dealership. He''s here with Eleanor, helping her look at cars,"


    Henry said, choosing his words carefully.


    "Really? Did she buy one?"n asked, his tone unchanged.


    "She just finished her test drive. Xavier''s with her, sorting out the paperwork." The message was clear enough, even without spelling it out.


    Xavier was buying Eleanor a Bentley.


    There was a long pause on the other end-Henry could almost hearn''s sharp intake of breath.


    He moved to a quieter spot and lowered his voice. n, if you''re still considering


    "Mr. Holt!" a child''s voice called out.


    Henry looked up, surprised. "Evelyn? You''re here too?"


    "Yep! I''m here with Mom and Mr. Vaughn to look at cars," Evelyn beamed, her round cheeks rosy.


    Henry spoke into the phone. "Ian, Evelyn''s here. Want to talk to her?"


    "Are you talking to my dad?" Evelyn asked, excited.


    Henry put the phone on speaker and set it on the table. Evelyn leaned forward and called out, "Daddy!"


    "Evelyn!"n''s voice was suddenly warm and full ofughter.


    "Daddy, Mom just bought a new car. It''s so pretty!"


    "That''s wonderful, sweetheart. As long as your mom''s happy."


    "Daddy, I''m going to find Mom now, so I''ll talk to youter!" Evelyn nced around, spotting Eleanor in the distance, with Joy and Joslyn waiting for her.


    "Alright, goodbye."


    "Bye, Daddy!" Evelyn said, then turned to Henry. "I''m going to find Mom."


    "Your mom should be over by the VIP office," Henry told her.


    Joy took Evelyn''s hand and led her away. Henry picked up the phone, intending to


    say something more, butn had already hung up.


    He let out a sigh. He''d been about to say something ton, but Evelyn had interrupted.


    Then again, even if he had said it,n probably wouldn''t have listened. Now that another of his friends was openly pursuing Eleanor, it was hard to imaginen trying again. He was never the kind of man to back down or be easily tamed. Henry looked up, catching a glimpse of Vanessa''s elegant silhouette through the floor-to-ceiling windows. In that moment, he felt both envious and admiring of Xavier-because Xavier had something Henry had alwayscked: the courage to go after what he truly wanted.