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The surgeon nodded slowly. “Your body won’t return to normal overnight. It’s major surgery, Ben.”

Toying with her bracelet again, Riley shifted in her chair. “I read something about the gallbladder being removed, too. Is that true?”

Yeah, it’s behind me! Ben stifled a chuckle, pretending it was an awkward sneeze. Riley shot him some side-eye.

“Yes. I’ll show you why…” Dr. Ricer’s eyes searched his desk.

Shit. He’s looking for the model. Ben stared into space.

“Hmm, one of the interns must have it. Well…” The surgeon pointed at his own abdomen. “It sits in front of the right lobe of the liver here, so it has to be removed to enable access. The gallbladder aids in digestion, but Ben shouldn’t have any major issues without it. Sometimes digesting fatty or spicy foods can cause discomfort. Our nutritionist will go over a meal plan with you, post-op. It’s usually recommended that you avoid certain foods for a while, things like French fries, ice cream, potato chips.”

“No crisps, no booze, no sex…got it.” Ben cleared his throat. “And how long will I be off work exactly?”

“Every donor is different, but we find most are off for three to six weeks post-surgery, longer if the job is physically demanding.” Dr. Ricer referred to his papers again. “You’re…a bike courier and a waiter—you’ll have to play it by ear, Ben. Cycling around Manhattan and bussing tables is about as far as you can get from a desk job.”

Jeez. It all feels so real now. Ben’s face fell.

Pulling her jean jacket sleeves over her hands, Riley looked down, her green eyes glassy.

“Look.” The surgeon took a deep breath and leaned forward. “Being a living organ donor is not easy. It’s no surprise people change their minds. It’s an enormous ask.”

Ben chewed his lip. But Maggie never asked—not for cancer, not for recurrences—and she’d never ask me or Riley—or anyone—to save her life. He inhaled deeply and let the breath slowly exit his lungs, watching Riley quiet and still, staring at her lap like she was determined not to sway him one way or the other. It won’t be easy, but…I can skip all the fun stuff for a few months. My ‘suffering’ doesn’t compare with anything Maggie’s gone through—or the agony she’ll go through if I don’t do this… He blinked and sat up, putting his hand on Riley’s knee. “It’s a big ask, but I still want to do it.”

Riley’s lips parted. “You sure?” she whispered.

“Yep.” Ben ran his hand through his hair. “Can we set the surgery date now?”

“We can. We had a cancelation for next week.”

“Someone dropped out?” asked Ben.

Dr. Ricer didn’t answer and kept scrolling on his computer. “We’d like to schedule Maggie’s transplant as soon as we can. It’s always tricky to book these things as we need two operating rooms, two surgeons, two teams of nurses and anesthesiologists…okay, right. Here it is. What are you doing a week from now—Tuesday, September 4th?”

Ben turned to Riley and smiled. “Saving your mom.”

Fifty-Two

Three days later

Riley’s phone lit up with a photo of Ben basking in April sunlight atop Rat Rock.

“Hey!” She cradled it in the nook of her neck, her hands busy typing an email on her laptop. “I was just gonna call you. I got an interview! A week from today for the full-time BBC assistant job!”

“Seriously? Aw, Riles, that’s just grand! I knew they’d consider you.”

“Oh, and you left without your lunch.”

“Ahh, well, that’s all down to you, that is,” Ben whispered through the phone. “After sex that good, my brain shuts down and I basically become a vegetable.”

“Yeah…” Riley’s mind drifted: Ben’s fingers gripping her hips from behind…his eager mouth biting her shoulder, owning her wet skin…their gasps and moans muted behind the plastic curtain… “Just don’t tell Piper. She’ll never shower in there again.”

He chuckled. “What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.” Muffled voices and laughter rose in the background. “Hey, listen, if you’re free, can I meet you and grab those sandwiches?”

“Uh, yeah, if we meet halfway somewhere.” Riley glanced at the plastic container holding Ben’s lunch hostage. “I have to be at Sephora at two.”

“Oh, I thought you were scheduled off today?”

“I got called in. Someone’s sick.”