"That's true," Verity said, giving him a wobbly smile. "And everyone knows you can't be seriously involved with a man who only has a chair."

She let go of him, taking a few steps back to compose herself. Verity didn't do vulnerability well and it was a weird feeling on her.

"Those poor kids," she said, ruffling her hair. "We'll be lucky they didn't high-tail it out of here when they had the chance."