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seat on all fours. Face flushed, Vanessa forgot about being cold as the younger woman moved in such a provocative way. "Hop in," Sophia said, voice muffled.
    With a mental shrug, Vanessa climbed in, careful to make sure her dress didn't ride up and show anything above her mid thigh. Once Sophia finished giving the directions to her hotel, Vanessa caught the cab driver's speculative look in the mirror.  
    "I'm helping make sure my cousin gets back to her place safely," Vanessa said, loudly. "She's flying back home tomorrow now that her internship finished."
    The older cab driver's face slumped and he nodded, remarking only, "Late night. Probably a good idea to make sure she gets there safely."
    Sophia gave her a speculative look, then gazed out the window, watching the buildings start to slowly pass by as the taxi picked up speed. Still feeling a chill, Vanessa snuggled up next to the other woman, satisfied the driver at least had a plausible reason for their closeness. She flicked a glance into the rear mirror and he ignored them, so she closed her eyes for a moment. Breathing in the scent of Sophia's perfume and the old leather of the taxi, Vanessa could not help feeling a mix of dread and excitement.  
    Flirting with another woman was nothing new to her, she'd done that and more in college. However, that was a decade ago and tonight was no game of spin the bottle. Once onto the freeway, the ride evened out and she knew without a doubt, she had to talk or risk falling asleep.  
    "How was the internship?"
    "Oh, it was good. I think the company was pretty fun. It reminded me of college," Sophia paused, frowning, and looked down at Vanessa's eyes, which were tilted up towards her face. "Both the good, and bad, parts." Making a mysterious face, Sophia whispered, "What do you do, by the way? You never said."
    Smiling, the blonde batted her eyelashes and said, "I'm a nurse."
    "Seriously?"
    Nodding, Vanessa sat up a bit straighter, looking up to see if the taxi driver was still focused on the road. Still, she pitched her voice low and leaned into Sophia to whisper, "Cue the silly jokes. Every other guy I meet makes the same stupid ones."
    Sophia swallowed, then shyly asked, "Do you have a remedy for a broken heart?"
    "What do you mean?"
    "Listen, you're really sweet," Sophia said, her eyes still glassy, "But I can tell the difference between real interest and girlish fun." Shivering slightly, Sophia gently removed her arm, which she'd wrapped around Vanessa's waist. "I have a feeling, after you say good night, I'm going to be miserable for a while." Her voice caught near the end, and she looked out the window once more. An uncomfortable moment passed and Vanessa felt guilty for taking things so far. Just before she could say anything, Sophia looked back at her, "So if you're a nurse, maybe you can give me tips on mending my soon to be broken heart?"
    Vanessa squeezed her hand, just as she noticed the taxi slowing. "We're almost there, ladies," his gruff voice announced, "That'll be seventeen fifty."
    The blonde sat up straighter, once again adjusting her dress, noticing when she did the cabbies eyes widening in appreciation. Stupid dress , she thought, last time I ever wear this to a bar.  
    "Keep the change," Sophia said, passing him a twenty and opening the door. She reached to close it when Vanessa put out her hand, grabbing the door handle and looking up at her with an apologetic grimace.
    "I said I'd make sure you got home safe," Vanessa said, forcing a small smile. "You're not home yet."
    Sophia looked torn between happiness, and a look that could only come from a pet goldfish's passing, being flushed to the great big fishbowl of the sky. Still, she nodded, and simply held the door while the blonde exited the taxi. The courtyard of the hotel was large, however, at that time of night, most of the parking spots were taken. The doorman was absent, and Vanessa hurried to open the door, so she could follow Sophia where she