Henry instinctively scratched the back of his head, trying to figure out what he''d messed up this time.


    "Henry, are you just waiting to celebrate my wedding ton?" Vanessa suddenly lifted her chin, her eyes locking onto his.


    Henry blinked, then let out a low chuckle. "Didn propose? When did this happen? That sly dog didn''t say a word to any of us."


    Vanessa''s eyes instantly reddened. She turned away from him, snapping, "I''m done talking to you." With that, she clutched her purse and pushed her way into the throng of shoppers, disappearing without a backward nce.


    Henry stared after her,pletely bewildered. The thought that she was out by herself hit him, and he instinctively started after her. "Vanessa!"


    The mall was at its peak hour, and after a frantic chase, he lost sight of herpletely. Growing anxious, he pulled out his phone and called her, but she didn''t pick up.


    He immediately sent a text: *Vanessa, stop fooling around. Let me take you home.*


    No reply.


    Henry waited a moment before heading for the exit. Just then, standing at the entrance of a designer boutique behind him, Vanessa watched him go.


    She bit her lip so hard it turned white, her knuckles pale as she gripped the strap of her purse.


    Her phone buzzed again with a text from Henry. She nced down. *Vanessa, if I said something wrong, don''t hold it against me. I genuinely want you andn to be happy.*


    Vanessa closed her eyes and took a deep breath before replying, *It''s my fault. I''m just in a bad mood today. Sorry for wasting your time.*


    *No, I was happy to see a movie with you.*


    She clutched her phone for a second, then shoved it into her purse without replying and walked into the boutique.


    After waiting in the parking garage for a while with no response, Henry knew she was really ignoring him now. Just as frustration began to set in, his phone rang. It was Xavier.


    "Free for dinner? Come out and we''ll talk," Xavier''s voice sounded weary.


    "Of course. The usual spot," Henry said.


    "See you there."


    Henry checked the time, started the car, and pulled out of the parking garage.


    At theb, Eleanor was workingte. Ian, as usual, had picked up their daughter and was in charge of her dinner.


    At the restaurant, Henry saw that Xavier was already there.


    Uncharacteristically, two bottles of wine were sitting of the table. Henry pulled out a chair and sat down. "What''s this? Hitting the bottle tonight?"


    Xavier filled a ss and pushed it toward him. "Have a drink with me."


    in


    Henry studied his friend''s face. He had a good idea why Xavier was in a foul mood Hispany had just weathered a massive crisis, and while Henry had wanted to help, hecked the connections and influence to make a real difference.n, on the other hand, had the power andwork to truly pull


    Xavier out of the fire.


    "Thanks ton, yourpany is in the clear now, right? I saw your stock went up


    a couple of points today."


    Xavier nodded. n was a huge help."


    "That''s what friends are for," Henry said. "Next time he''s in a jam, you''ll be there for him. It''s what we do."


    Xavier froze, the ss halfway to his lips. His bloodshot eyes met Henry''s, and though he said nothing, his gaze was heavy with unspoken thoughts.


    Henry immediately understood. The words offort died on his lips, and he let out a sigh. "I get how hard this is for you, but this kind of thing—"


    "The other day, I sawn and Eleanor dropping Evelyn off at school together Xavier said, his voice thick with misery. And he did it again today." He downed the rest of his drink in one bitter swallow.