Page 98 of Worth the Risk

“Thank God for that.”

Verity barked out a laugh and put their feet up on the table.

“It’s good to see you, Verity, but those shoes are ridiculous,” Jack casually remarked.

Landon looked at the probably six-inch block-heeled boots Verity was wearing and laughed.

“That heel is bigger than some guys’ dicks, you know?” Landon teased, trying to relax.

Verity waved their foot in the air, eyes twinkling mischievously. “Do you think I could fuck someone with it?”

“How do you walk in those?” Jack asked.

“Oh, you know, one foot in front of the other until they end up behind my ears.”

“I cannot take you anywhere,” Landon laughed, the tension from their earlier discussion about Gregory instantly cleared.

They chatted and laughed together for the next few hours until Verity started to stretch and yawn more than not.

“Did you sleep on the plane?” Landon asked them.

“Not much,” Verity admitted.

“Let me go back with you to the hotel, get you comfortable so you can take a nap. Jack should be able to manage on his own for a few hours.” Landon stood from where he’d ended up on the floor underneath a window and stretched as well.

“My insides are healing; my legs work fine, thank you.”

Verity stepped over Jack and joined Landon by the front door.

“Call or text if you need anything,” Verity told him.

“We’ll be back with dinner.”

Landon pushed past Verity and opened the front door, stepping into the hallway. Verity followed with their suitcase, closing the door. They stood face to face in the hallway of Jack’s apartment building, staring at each other until Verity held their arms open and Landon crumpled into their embrace.

He inhaled the familiar scent of his best friend and, for the first time in a week, relaxed.

“I missed you,” he mumbled into Verity’s shoulder.

“The feeling is mutual.” Verity pressed a kiss to the top of Landon’s head and unfolded their bodies. “Now, please take me to a bed so I can go to sleep.”

They hailed a taxi and rode back to the hotel in silence. Once in the room, Landon pulled back the covers on one of the queen beds and patted the mattress. Verity flopped down, and for no reason that Landon could pinpoint, he sat on the ground and began to pluck away at the laces of Verity’s boots.

“You don’t need to do that,” they told him.

“It helps me feel grounded,” Landon answered, pulling Verity’s foot free and dropping the boot on the floor before repeating the action on their other foot.

“Do you undress Gregory?” Verity asked sleepily, tucking themself into bed fully dressed.

“I haven’t.”

“Hmmn,” Verity mused, their eyes closing heavily.

“Should I call him?” Landon asked, suddenly unsure.

Verity opened one eye and regarded Landon tentatively. “That’s not up to me.”

“What would you do?”