Page 80 of The Donor’s Dilemma

“Hey,” Marcy exclaimed. “Wait till I get you home!” She jabbed Elliot in the ribs as he poured the drinks, and his dramatic wince was the first thing to draw a true smile from Verity all night.

“I need to thank you,” she told him as he handed her a vampire-sized whiskey.

“You do?” he asked.

“My friends’ cafe…”

“Honest pay for honest work,” he said with a shrug. “No need to thank me. I should be thanking you, she’s been getting rave reviews.”

At that, Verity beamed with pride. All Cora ever needed was a chance to prove herself and prove herself she had.

“Well,” she said. “Thank you anyway.”

The first sip of whiskey didn’t burn like Theo's, only leaving a pleasant warmth in her chest. The smoky after taste lingered on her tongue, deep and rich.

“What do you think?” Theo asked, clicking her glass with his.

“I like it, far better than the one you normally have.”

“The lady’s got taste!” Elliot declared, raising his glass before knocking it back.

“If she’s got taste, why’s she with me?” Theo asked, leaning in to kiss her temple.

The feel of his lips on her skin lit a fire deep inside, far fiercer than any whiskey. His breath mingled with hers as those dark eyes watched her.

“Get a room,” Marcy crooned, making Elliot snigger.

The rest of the play passed in a blur of spotlights on diamonds and heroic fight scenes. The human boy and youthful vampire who played the fledgling god growing into his prime received a standing ovation, flowers falling to the stage from some of the boxes, before the lights finally turned back on.

Verity expected to spend the rest of the morning in the cozy sitting room, chatting with Elliot and Marcy, but Marcy declared she could hear her bed calling. The conspiratorial wink she gave Verity told her the excuse was for her rather than a need for sleep and Verity was grateful to be heading home, knowing that the night was far from over.

The moment she got into Theo’s car the heaviness descended again. She ran through questions, everything she needed to know, to understand, on the way home.

No discussion was needed on where they were going as Theo drove for his apartment, the silence driving a rift between them once more. Though perhaps not as deep as on the journey there.

Theo carried up the overnight bag she’d stashed in his car the previous day. She didn’t stop him, even though she wasn’t sure what was happening. Wasn’t sure if she still wanted to spend the day with him.

He took her coat as they entered the apartment, hanging it beside his before heading to the kitchen. He poured two glasses of water, set one in front of her and waited.

They stood with the island between them and Verity had never felt so far away.

“Ask,” he said.

“I don’t even know where to start.”

She stared into the glass, steadying herself, and maybe it made her a coward, but she started small. Well, not exactly small.

“You broke Harris’s jaw?”

His brow rose slightly, not expecting that to be her first question.

“His donor drugged you.”

“We’re not just donors, you know her name. It’s Sienna, and I’m not sure she did.”

“I… I know you’re more than donors,” he said. “And of course she did. Who else could it have been?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t think it was her. And even if she did, that doesn’t mean you can attack someone like that.”