Page 73 of The Donor’s Dilemma

She ran a finger around the edge of the glass, staring into the amber liquid as though it might answer for her before finally meeting his gaze. “He’s been in Cliffhaven.”

“What?” Why Viv would take Abe there was beyond him, what purpose would it serve? But he supposed that was her business. Either way, he shouldn’t be telling Verity about it. “What did he say?”

“Just that it was boring. I mean he didn’t say anything about…” her eyes darted to the door and Theo nodded.

“Right,” he said. Well, at least Abe wasn’t a total idiot.

“What about the flu?” she asked. “I know vampires can’t carry it but… he isn’t a vampire and…” she looked down to her hand again, nose scrunching. “You got a hanky?” she asked.

Finding his jacket hanging from the door, Theo fished out the pocket square and handed it to her. She dipped it in the whiskey before wiping it over the spot he’d kissed.

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” he told her with a smirk. At least she wouldn’t smell of that arsehole anymore. “They aren’t vampires, but they’re close enough. Don’t tell him I said that though.”

Verity didn’t smile. Eyes downcast, she stared at the floor, unseeing, lost in thought and wiping that spot over and over. Theo took the whiskey soaked cloth, cradling her hands in his.

“Please, stay with me,” he tried, brushing a stray hair from her face.

Verity shook her head, refusing to look at him.

“Fine,” he grumbled, running a hand up her arm, giving her all the time in the world to pull away before wrapping her in his embrace. It took a moment for her to soften, to lean into him, breathing deep as he drew circles between her shoulder blades. “What else did he say?”

She only shook her head again, rubbing her cheek against his chest.

“You mean to tell me, he didn’t try to woo you?” Theo asked.

“Well, yeah,” she said, voice muffled in his shirt. “He kept calling me sweet Verity. Made me want to punch him.”

Theo snorted. “Well, that would send a message.”

Verity pulled back before sinking into a chair and Theo savoured her lingering warmth in his arms. She still wouldn’t look at him.

“Verity?” There was something else, there had to be.

“A couple of weeks,” she murmured.

Theo waited. She was still tense, still wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“And...?” He pushed, voice calmer than his mind. What was bothering her? What was worse than that Blessed sniffing around her?

She shook her head. “Nothing. Just… it’s a long time to have him around.”

Lie. Not a total lie, it was a long time to avoid him, but there was something beneath it, an unspoken truth that she didn’t dare voice. Her heartbeat was off, that steadfast thrum that his own subconsciously matched stuttered as a thought crossed her face.

Was it something Abe had said? Or… was she having second thoughts about their conversation last night? They shouldn’t have spoken about it by text. How dreadfully unromantic of him. She wore her affections on her sleeve, in her body and her scent, for weeks, and when he finally made a move - minor as it was - he did it by text.

Idiot. Gods she deserved better than that.

“Is Jesse coming to town soon?” she asked, snapping Theo from his thoughts. “With all the Abe stuff, him helping and everything. I’d like to thank him.”

Something warm flickered in his chest. She wanted to meet his brother. That had to be a good sign. Asking about his family, his only family, that meant long term. Right?

“That’s… sweet of you,” he said, smiling at what her words meant to him. “I doubt it though. He works a lot beyond the wall.”

And thank fuck for that. The last thing he needed was Jesse and Verity in the same room.

“Oh, does he come home for holidays?” she asked.

“Sometimes. I’ve mentioned your Ostara festival to him, I’m sure he’ll come if he can.”