Page 70 of The Donor’s Dilemma

Keep Abe happy.

Fuck.

“You’re here for a while?” she asked, trying to keep the disdain from her tone.

“A few weeks,” he said, swirling the coffee and taking another sip.

“What parts of Havenshire have you visited?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Why?”

She swallowed. “Because you want to share a drink and I’d like to change the subject.”

His grin returned. “You know, I do get a little sick of the arse licking.”

“Ultimatums don’t help.”

“Fair point.”

“Well,” Verity started, glancing to Cora, ensuring her friend was still distracted. “From what I hear, we all need to sweet-talk you into liking us.”

“You don’t need to sweet-talk me.” He winked. “Although, I believe Viv noticed that I… took an interest, so you might get dragged to SubRosa while I’m in town.”

“Great.” She already knew that but hearing it from Abe still filled her with dread. “How’s the rest of your visit been?”

“Fine. I like Ashhaven, at least it’s more… normal here. Highhaven was stuck up, Salthaven was boring, Cliffhaven…”

“Cliffhaven?” She exclaimed.

“Yeah…”

“You went to Cliffhaven?” They were supposed to be making a good impression. Why would he be taken to a town full of disease and rebellion?

“I did.” He watched her over his cup, taking another sip.

“Was it okay? I mean,” she wasn’t supposed to know about New Albion, “with the outbreak and everything?”

“Outbreak?”

“The Hesperian flu?”

“Oh,” he took another big gulp of coffee. “That, yeah, it was fine.”

“Fine?” she asked, but Abe stood, finishing his drink, which must have been scolding, and setting the cup on the counter.

“I meant what I said, about the Chapels. If you need…”

“Don’t change the subject,” she demanded, making Abe chuckle.

“So, you can change the subject, but I can’t?”

She scowled as he slid her phone across the counter and donned his coat. Something else continued to irritate her.

“What’s your problem with Theo?”

Abe shrugged. “He’s easy to wind up. Too uptight.”

“I don’t see why that’s your problem.”