Adam/Eric cocks his head and arches an eyebrow. My temper flares, the word liar again exploding in my brain. Filing away whoever I thought Adam was, I tell myself I’ll process this later and step into a ray of watery sunshine, deliberately giving myself over to the best light.

Garrett doesn’t miss a beat. “Hey, when you love someone as much as I love my sister, you’ll do anything to save her life”—he puts his arm around me and squeezes my shoulder, his hand hot on my skin—“even make a fool of yourself in front of the prettiest girl you’ve ever seen.” He turns to Adam. “I hope you don’t mind me saying that. Sometimes I overstep my bounds by speaking my mind.”

“It’s cool.” Adam shifts his weight. “It’s the truth. And speaking your mind is the only way to go.”

His eyes flit to mine, but I refuse to acknowledge him.

Nicki blushes, the pink staining her pretty cheeks, making her more inviting.

I need to learn to do that on command.

“You guys, stop,” she says. “And please, Betsy, I would love to help in any way I can. I know what you’re going through. All of it sucks. What stage are you in?”

“Four. The filter-bots make me so tired.”

“I bet, but you look great.”

“You’re the sweetest,” I say, my nerves settling. I stop thinking as the lies tumble from my lips. “I just want to be hungry again—to want a burger and fries and actually be able to taste it. I want my life back!”

“I’ve totally been there.” Nicki’s lower lip juts forward as she wipes a tear from her eye, and I notice the ring on her left middle finger. It has a dark gold band that looks ancient, like it was molded by hand, and four prongs hold in place a foggy blue stone. “I’ll put you in contact with our transplant coordinator. She can get you on the list right away.”

Garrett touches Nicki’s arm and leans closer to her, lowering his voice. I can almost see the heated shivers run down her arm at his touch. He’s undeniable. “Is there any way we could get her moved up?” Garrett asks. “She puts on a good show, but to be honest, we don’t know how much time she has left.”

“I might be able to pull some strings.” She smiles. “Let me see what I can do.”

“Who wants a drink?” Adam/Eric asks. “I hear the Transplantinis are delicious.”

“One of my dad’s terrible jokes.” Nicki rolls her eyes. “But this benefit raises zillions for the farm, so we put up with it.”

“I’d love one,” Garrett says.

“Me, too,” Joanna says.

“None for me,” I say. “Doctor’s orders.”