In my mind, I’m wrapping my arms around Holly, pulling her down on top of me, so I can claim her mouth and body. I want to worship her for loving me. But the best I can do is grip her hand tighter and grin up at her like a doofus.

“Kiss me again.”

She snickers but gives me what I want. The tender way she presses her mouth to mine only makes me crave her more.

“Say it again,” I demand.

Between kisses, she responds, “I love you … I love you … I love you, Ben …”

Each time is better than before, and I’ve never felt stronger than in this moment. I have the love of Holly Foster, and all she asked for was honesty.

This sense of freedom, of knowing that I’m not lying or hiding anything from her, that we’re completely open to one another, gives me a wild head rush.

This is how all life should be.

Later, when Holly gets too tired to sit up, she stretches out next to me on the bed. I keep her fingers tangled in mine, clasping them to my chest.

With her head resting on the pillow next to mine, the small puff of her breath brushes my neck when she asks the question, “How are you feeling?”

“My body is tired and kinda sore. But, other than that, I’m amazing.”

“Amazing, huh?”

I turn my head to grin at her. “Of course. You love me, and I just got a grade-A Holly Foster kidney installed.”

“You make it sound like I manufacture car parts.” She pretends to scowl at me, but humor hides just beneath the surface.

For a minute, I stare at her, falling into her dark brown eyes. When she blinks, her lashes brush against the top of her cheeks. Creases form beside her nose as a hesitant smile appears. Stray pieces of hair curl at the edge of her face.

Every bit of her is perfection, and she gave some of it to me.

All the awe I feel for her seeps into my voice. “I have a piece of you now.”

She traces her thumb along my bottom lip. “You had a piece of me before the surgery, too.”

31

Ben: On our way. See you soon. Love you.

Holly: Hurry up. Love you, too.

HOLLY

I sit alone in the Gerhards’ front room on the pristine white couch. Both of his parents went to pick Ben up from the hospital, and I’m jittery, waiting for them all to arrive back here.

After finding us asleep in the same hospital bed, Ben’s parents extended the offer of having me stay with them during my recovery period. They figured we’d probably want to spend our time healing together. My father seemed put out by the idea, but they also pointed out how their house was closer to the hospital, and they’d hired a nurse to check up on Ben, who could also monitor me.