Page 91 of The Donor’s Dilemma

Wrapping his jacket a little tighter around him, he stood as Verity asked, “By the book?”

“No exchanging,” was his only explanation. “I’ll see you at group. Whenever that is.”

He hugged her, holding on long enough for Verity to squeeze him tight.

“If you need anything, anything at all, you call me,” she said.

Adam gave her a watery smile. “Ditto.”

Then he was gone, the soft ringing of the bell stinging something in her chest as his parting remark sank in.

No exchanging.

Bea had been giving Adam her blood, but his new donor wouldn’t. It wasn’t only heartache stealing the colour from his cheeks and the spring from his step, but withdrawal. Theo had spoken of the dangers of drinking a vampire’s blood, how addictive it was. What happens to a human when they’re forced to go cold turkey?

The cool kids always seemed so happy, excitable and full of life, gliding on the forbidden high gifted by an immortal. The only time Verity had even considered it was when learning about Marcy and Elliott’s relationship, but if this was the price, Verity wanted nothing to do with it.

It was only when her eyes started to sting that Verity realised she was still staring after him. Watching the door as if her bubbly friend might burst back in, laughing like it was all one big joke.

She looked towards Cora, finding her watching with wide eyes as Kim flicked through the folder, none the wiser.

Shit.

Darting into the back, Verity grabbed some dishes to wash, busying herself before…

“Was that Adam?” Cora asked, making Verity jump.

“No,” she said, too quick to sound casual. Plates clattered as she thrust them into the dishwasher, avoiding her friend’s eyes. “I mean yes, his name’s Adam, but he isn’t… my Adam…”

“Not your Adam?” she asked.

“No. There’s two.” That made sense. It wasn’t an uncommon name.

“Verity.” Cora intercepted her as she tried to walk back out to the cafe and away from questions. “Verity, stop. What’s going on?”

A pitiful laugh threatened to escape her lips. What’s going on? That’s what Verity wanted to know.

“He’s just a friend. His girlfriend left him and he’s having a hard time.”

“You promise?” Cora asked, eyes narrowed.

Phoenar, save her, she didn’t want to lie to her best friend. Only it wasn’t a lie, not really. Adam was just a friend, and his girlfriend had left him, and he was having a hard time. Of all the lies Verity had told, this wasn’t one of them.

“Promise,” she said, the word oily on her tongue.

Cora pursed her lips, staring into her very soul, before nodding.

“He looked awful,” she said, pity filling her warm brown eyes.

“I know,” Verity mumbled. “I’m worried about him.”

Cora nodded again as Verity’s phone pinged.

Theo

I've had a meeting come up. We'll

have to skip donation tonight.