Whoa. Pump the brakes. Put it back in your pants.

I give myself a firm mental shake and try to dump a proverbial bucket of ice water on my overly excited brain.

I cannot fantasize about making out with my organ donor. There has to be a rule somewhere that says that. Like in the Bible or something. I definitely feel like I should go to hell for the thoughts of what I want to do to her mouth.

Trying to take my mind off of forbidden fantasies, I turn my attention to Holly’s brother, Marcus. I’m guessing they aren’t full siblings, based on the differing skin tones. Holly is the color of whipped cream, light and pale. Marcus’s skin is much darker. If I were painting them, I’d use alabaster for her and russet for him. I can see the relation more in the shape of their faces and the set of their eyes.

“You’ve probably guessed by now, but I’m Marcus.”

Shaking the hand he offers me, I smile in response to his amused grin. He probably saw his sister’s antics in the waiting room.

“Good to meet you. I’m Ben.” Under the pretense of being polite but really because I need to hear her speak, I turn to hold my hand out to his sister. “And you must be Holly Foster. My knight in shining armor.”

She blinks and then gives me her hand, rewarding me with a smile even though it does appear tight around the edges. “At your service.”

If only.

Just as I’m trying to brainstorm ways to hear that sweet voice again, my parents are ushered into the room.

“So sorry we’re late,” Mom says before giving me a kiss on the cheek while my dad pats me on the back. “Are these the Fosters?” She turns hungry eyes on the siblings, who stand up to greet my parents.

“Yeah, Mom. This is Holly Foster and Marcus Foster.” I try to meet Holly’s eyes, but she’s shifted her attention away from me. “And these are my parents, Victoria and Benjamin Gerhard.”

More handshakes are exchanged, and everyone takes their seats. Dr. Stevens lets out a noise of satisfaction, and the large TV screen at the end of the room emits the ringing of a telephone. A few seconds go by before my cousin, Fred, appears on the screen. He grins through his thick beard and waves. Next to him is a well-dressed man with more hair on his upper lip than the top of his head. Introductions resume, and I find out that Fred’s companion is Dr. Gupta, and Holly and Marcus’s is Dr. Williams. After everyone says their hellos, the doctors get into the details.

“Now, I want to reiterate to Holly and Fred, this is all voluntary. You are under no obligation to complete this donation if, at any point, you feel uncomfortable with proceeding.”

I swear that Holly flinches slightly at Dr. Williams’s words.

Does she not really want to donate? Is her brother forcing her into this?