He had been drunk, but he didn''t think he''d performed that poorly. In fact, that night... he had imagined she was Vanessa. Subconsciously, he couldn''t have allowed himself to be a disappointment.


    Just then, two frantic figures hurried down the hallway. "Selma! Selma!"


    "Dad, Mom, I''m over here," Selma called out.


    Her mother rushed over, cupping her daughter''s face in her hands. "Let me see, let me see. Oh, you poor thing, look how bad it is." Her eyes welled up with tears.


    Selma''s father was equally distressed but managed to thank Henry. "Henry, it was a good thing you were there."


    Henry stood up. "I just happened to be passing by. The doctor said it''s just a surface wound. We''re waiting on the CT results now."


    "Thank you, thank you so much," Mr. Quigley said gratefully.


    "Henry, who knows what might''ve happened if you weren''t here," Mrs. Quigley added. "Thank you."


    Selma looked at Henry. "My parents are here now. You should go."


    "Henry, do you have somewhere you need to be?" Mrs. Quigley asked.


    "Uh, it''s not that important," he said. "Mr. and Mrs. Quigley, I''ll leave Selma in your care. I have to go."


    "You muste over for dinner soon!" Mrs. Quigley called after him.


    "I will!" Henry replied over his shoulder.


    Selma watched him leave, her expression falling. She knew he only saw her as a friend; she couldn''t expect anything more.


    Back in his car, Henry saw it was 3:20. He quickly texted Vanessa. "On my way. If it starts, go on in. I''ll find you."


    "No, I''ll wait for you. Drive safely, there''s no rush," she replied.


    Henry sped through traffic, finally arriving at the theater at 3:45. Vanessa watched him run from the elevater breathless. She knew be had run all this way for her. Dressed in an elegant dress and a chio trench coat, she stood out from the crowd.


    Henry caught his breath. "Vanessa, I''m so sorry I''mte."


    She looked up, her smile as gentle as ever. "It''s okay. Let''s go." As they walked, her eyes fixed on a dark red smudge on his shoulder. It looked like blood.


    "Henry, what''s that on your shoulder? Is that blood? Are you hurt?" she asked, rmed.


    He looked down and saw the stain. He quickly exined what had happened on the way.


    "Is Miss Quigley badly hurt?" Vanessa asked, her voice full of concern.


    "No, she just hit her head and needed a few stitches. She''s fine now," Henry said, relieved that Vanessa was so understanding.


    Vanessa noted the location of the


    bloodstain. Selma must have leaned on his shoulder. Or maybe he had.


    aybe!


    carried her, Her smile tightened


    slightly. "The movie''s already


    started. Let''s go in."


    Inside the dark theater, Henry tried to find their seats, but Vanessa suddenly looped her arm through. his her soft body pressing against him. "Henry, it''s so dark," she whispered.


    His body went rigid. In the dim light, he could feel her warm breath on his neck.