“Holly,” he sighs my name out along with a heavy dose of tension from his shoulders.

I, on the other hand, don’t really know how to react. Ever since I ran away from his parents’ house, I’ve been dealing with a toxic combination of devastation, anger, anxiety, hopelessness, and regret. My coherent thoughts have all consisted of plans on how to tell Marcus my decision. I didn’t let myself think about Ben.

But Marcus knows now, and I need to figure out the rest of my issues.

“Ben.” The way I say his name sounds harsh to my own ears, and I try to take the bite out of my voice. “What are you doing here?”

He runs his eyes over me, frowning. “Looking for you. I wanted to make sure you were okay. And to talk to you.” His hand lifts, as if to reach for me, but then it reroutes to land on the back of his neck. “I needed to tell you the donation is off.”

I flinch at his words. “Yeah, I know. I might have gone a little nuts the last time you saw me, but I didn’t forget. Fred’s not viable. No kidney for Marcus.”

Why doesn’t he just squeeze lemon juice in a paper cut while he’s at it?

“No. I mean, our donation. I appreciate that you’re willing to stick it out, but I’m going to respectfully decline. Okay?” His satisfied expression reminds me of a cat that’s just brought you a dead bird and expects you to say thank you.

“Okay? Okay?” Now, he’s the one who flinches as I shout at him.

What is it with the Gerhards and their ability to make me want to scream?

Up until this point, we’ve been talking in the open doorway. Wanting some privacy, I move to push Ben back, so I can step out on the front porch with him. Then, I get hit with an icy shot of cold air and change my mind. Wrapping my hand in the front of his jacket, I tug him into the house.

“You wanna talk? Let’s talk. Upstairs. But don’t get any ideas. This is a front-porch discussion that’s happening in my bedroom only because it’s colder than a snowman’s butt out there.”

I glare at him and then turn to stomp up the stairs, hearing him following behind me. When we reach my room, I shut the door behind us and round on him.

Ben watches me with wary eyes.

“You want to respectfully decline my kidney? Fine. That’s your right. But, just know, if you do, we’re done.”

“What?” His stare goes wild, and he steps toward me, reaching out a hand that I brush away.

“You and me. We. Are. Done.”

BEN

Panic sends shards of glass shooting through my veins. She can’t mean it. We can’t be over.

“Why would you even say that?”

“Because it’s true.” Holly leans back against her bedroom door, crossing her arms and glaring at me. “If you don’t accept my kidney, then we’re over.”