Page 37 of The Donor’s Dilemma

“He said I’m miserable. That all I do is moan about losing the cafe and I never have time for him.” The words were punctuated by sniffs and whimpers.

“He’s a fucking dick. You deserve so much better.”

“But he’s right,” she wailed. “All I think about is the cafe. I didn’t pay him enough attention.”

“That isn’t true.” The thought of showing her the pictures was a fleeting one. That wouldn’t help now. As much as Verity hated seeing Cora like this, she was glad to see the back of Toby.

Holding Cora by the shoulders she looked her in the eye and said, “He never deserved you. You are funny and beautiful and clever and he was nothing.”

Cora blinked, looking as if she was taking the words in when she said, “You look nice.”

Verity looked down, at the high heels and sheer black dress, courtesy of Theo’s credit card.

“Oh, I…” she stammered, searching for an excuse. “It doesn’t matter, I can cancel.”

“Cancel what?” Cora asked.

“Nothing.” Verity started taking her coat off when Cora’s eyes widened, lip twitching in an almost-smile.

“Do you have a date?”

Her phone chirped and Verity’s hand automatically covered it through her pocket, eyes on the ceiling. Excuse! Think of a fucking excuse!

“Oh gods! You’ve got a date! And you’re here with me! Is that him? Who is it?” Cora did smile then, excited for her friend despite her own heartbreak. Verity didn’t deserve her.

“It’s just drinks. I don’t…” she started but Cora grabbed the front of her coat, shaking her.

“Don’t you dare cancel a date for me! Who is he? Where are you going? Is he fit? Have you kissed? Have you...?” The barrage of questions came so fast Verity didn’t have a chance to answer until her phone started ringing and Cora demanded, “Are you late? Go! Quick!”

The whirlwind that was Cora shooed her towards the door shouting something about fucking on a first date being a power move.

“I don’t think it is,” Verity laughed. “I’ll come by tomorrow. Have a girls’ day.”

“Sleepover!” Cora sang. “You can tell me all about it.”

Agreeing, she tumbled out the door and checked her phone to find three texts and a missed call, all from Theo. Fuck.

It rang again and Verity answered on the first ring. “I’m sorry. I’m on my way.”

“Where are you?” he asked, each word clipped.

The morning had barely begun, and he was already pissed off with her. Great.

Not a speck of blue remained in Theo’s eyes when he pushed the car door open for her, and she wasn’t sure if it was hunger or anger that had driven the colour from him. They’d agreed to skip his Wednesday feeding so he could drink from her at the club but now she wondered if that had been a good idea.

They rode in silence, Theo driving faster than he should and abandoning the car with the valet that Verity failed to notice on her first visit. And then they were there, skipping the queue, throwing her coat in the cloakroom and walking straight into the opulent domed room.

A small stage had been set up on the dance floor for a band. Light refracted from the singers jewel-encrusted dress as she sang a lament, voice deep and sombre, serenading the couples who swayed in each other’s arms.

Theo’s hand slid into hers as he led her through the watching crowd, weaving between humans and vampires until he pushed her against the polished wood bar and caged her in his arms, chest against her back.

“Sorry,” he murmured in her ear. “Haven’t seen this guy for a while.”

Turning to ask him what he meant, she fell short when their cheeks touched, the unexpected contact sending her heart galloping. She pulled back. He didn’t. He only looked at her, eyes flicking to her lips for a split second.

“I… I don’t know what he’s going to be like. It’s been so long.”

Was he nervous about meeting his friend?