As Victor asked what they should toast to and Vanessa debated what sort of shot they could have next, the air suddenly changed. It wasn't something that she was able to put her finger on, but she felt different, almost as if she was looking at the world with a totally new pair of eyes. It reminded her of the car crash with Richard, and how he had suddenly grown defensive, and how he had danced on the borderline of aggressive. She had gone from a crying wimpering mess, to a calm, collected negotiator, that seemed to have dealt with Richard's type a million times over, even though that was the first time she had dealt with a situation like that.
She felt similar now, as she sat a little straighter in her chair. There was a wave that had passed over her, one of empowerment, a TOUCH of mischief, and a desire to protect both of the men next to her. Even her face seemed to change as she seemed to sober a bit. "I am hardly an expert judge of character, and how close I am to either of you should hardly be the topic at hand."