Page 69 of The Donor’s Dilemma

The moment she pulled out a to-go cup he chirped, “I’ll be drinking in, and make yourself one.” Holy fucking gods. Her heart raced, hands near shaking as she made two cappuccinos. “I’ve been looking forward to getting to know you better. I’ll be in town for a while, plenty of time to become better acquainted. What kind of food do you like? The restaurant a few doors down looks good.” Verity sprinkled chocolate on the drinks, ignoring every word. Until he mused, “Your mother seemed nice.”

“You stay the fuck away from my mum,” she snapped, whirling on him.

“There she is.” Abe leant back in his chair, watching her with pure delight.

Only then did Verity notice a pair of vampires standing outside, across the road, watching them. Back up? Blood roared in her ears, hands trembling. There was talking, but she wasn’t listening.

He was talking.

Verity almost fell back when Abe's hand touched hers.

“They don’t like me out on my own,” he explained, a surprising amount of sympathy in his eyes. “Come on, sit with me.”

Gathering the drinks she set them on the side. One drink and he’d go. Just one drink.

He pulled the stool next to him out, but Verity didn’t move.

“Do you really want your friend overhearing us?” he asked, and Verity knew he was right. Whatever he wanted to say, she did not want Cora hearing it.

Moving around the counter, losing the one barrier between them, she sat, trying not to cringe when Abe scooted closer. He slid her phone out of reach and set her coffee in front of her.

“I thought you didn’t do fancy coffee,” he said, taking a sip. “Now then, what’s the deal with you and Chapel?”

Cora was still chatting with Kim, so Verity said, “We’re, you know, dating.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes, we are.”

“Nope.”

“He’s my boyfriend.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Verity floundered. “Well, you don’t have to believe me,” she snapped.

“Verity,” he started, reaching for her hand before thinking better of it. “I have known the Chapel brothers for a very long time. I know what they’re like. As nervous as you were before Theo arrived, you were terrified once he got there.” He leant closer. “If you need help…”

“No.” What the fuck? “No, I don’t need help.”

“It’s okay, really…”

“Abe…”

“One minute you’re asking me if I own humans, then Chapel declares that you belong to him and you agree…”

“That was a private conversation,” she said. He heard that?

“I’m just saying…”

“Well, don’t.” Was he seriously going to sit there and act like he wanted to help her?

“Okay.” Abe stared into his coffee, brows raised high with disbelief.

Then a thought struck her, or about ten thoughts.

The trade deal. Cliffhaven. The docks.