"Henry Holt-" her voice caught in a happy sob. "I thought you''d abandoned me!"


    Henry looked at her, then held out his hand. "Come on. My car''s outside. I''ll take you home."


    A jolt of delight went through Vanessa Shannon. She knew Henry wouldn''t really leave her behind. She slipped her hand into his, grabbed her purse, and deliberately brushed her chest against him as she stood up.


    Henry, flustered, quickly steadied her by the shoulders. "Can you walk?"


    A yful smile touched Vanessa''s lips. She shook her head like a child. "Nope. You''ll have to help me."


    With a sigh of resignation, Henry wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her toward the bar''s entrance.


    A triumphant smile flickered in Vanessa''s downcast eyes. It seemed Henry had made his choice between her and Selma Quigley. She had been right all along. A man who had been hopelessly in love with her for seven years wouldn''t give up that easily.


    However, Vanessa''s smug satisfaction shattered the moment they stepped outside the bar.


    Though she was a little drunk, she could clearly see Selma Quigley standing quietly beside Henry''s car.


    Hadn''t Henry left Selma toe back for her? Why was she still here?


    Sensing the shift in Vanessa''s mood, Henry nced down at her and exined, "Vanessa, Selma and I will take you home together."


    Vanessa immediately straightened up, pushing Henry''s supporting arm away. She smoothed her long hair back, feigning a brave front. "Henry, it''s okay, don''t trouble yourself. Just take Miss Quigley home. I''ll get a cab."


    She deliberately turned her face away, letting the single, martyred tear at the corner of her eye catch the light.


    Henry knew Vanessa was upset; he was all too familiar with her sensitivity and her temper. But the thought of letting her take a cab home alone while she was drunk didn''t sit light with him even just as a friend.


    "Don''t be difficult. Get in the car, I''ll take you home first," Henry said, a note of weariness in his voice.


    Vanessa turned to look at him, and under the dim light, a tear suddenly traced a path down her cheek. She bit her lip. "Henry, thank you foring, but you have Miss Quigley now. I won''t be a bother."


    With that, she stumbled off to hail a cab. She quickly gged one down, and a burly male driver with a fleshy face leaned out. "Need a ride, miss?"


    Henry nced at the driver, then saw Vanessa already pulling the car door open. He strode forward, grabbed her wrist, mmed the door shut, and said to the driver, "My friend isn''t taking a cab. Please leave."


    The driver cast a regretful look at Vanessa before stepping on the gas and driving off.


    Vanessa struggled against Henry''s grip. "Henry, I told you to leave me alone! Let go!"


    Henry felt a headacheing on. He turned to look at Selma, who was now walking toward them. He instinctively released Vanessa''s wrist.


    Vanessa clutched her purse and watched Selma approach, then turned her face away. Selma, however walked up to her with perfectposure. "Miss Shannon, it''ste. Taking a cab alone isn''t safe. Henry is just worried about you. Please, get in the car."


    Vanessa was taken aback. Frankly, Selma''s gracious and understanding demeanor was incredibly grating. Still, she forced a smile. "Thank you for your concern, Miss Quigley, but I can take responsibility for my own safety."


    Henry''s brow furrowed. "Vanessa, don''t be so stubborn. Selma is just trying to look out for you."