Page 92 of Hitting the Gap

“Wait, wait, wait,” Kia said. “You say that like it’s nothing. It’s your freakin’ liver.”

“It grows back,” Bailey said.

“Well, yeah, but still. That’s like some major surgery.”

Deliberately misunderstanding, she nodded. “It was a long road for her, but she’s doing really well now.”

Kia blinked at her. “I’m just trying to wrap my head around the fact you donated part of your liver.”

“It’s really not that big a deal. My sister was really sick. She needed it. I was a match.”

“You were like what? 18?”

“Yeah.”

“Holy shit. How old was she?”

“21.”

“Wow. That’s amazing.” Kia leaned back in her chair and stared at Bailey for several seconds. “I can’t imagine anyone in my family doing that for me.”

“You’d be surprised what people will do for their loved ones when push comes to shove.”

Kia laughed, but it sounded hollow. “Yeah, I think we have very different families.”

“What do you mean?”

“Mine practically disowned me when I had Max, so I don’t think a liver would be on the table.”

“Are you kidding me? Why would they…” She didn’t even know how to finish that sentence. She couldn’t imagine her family disowning her. If her sister’s illness had shown her anything, it was how amazing her family was. Every single person in her family had been tested as a donor. Bailey had been the closest match.

“Like I said, we obviously had different family situations. But I’m doing everything I can to make sure Max has a family like yours.” Kia’s eyes welled up, and she blinked rapidly. “Shit.”

Bailey reached across the table and squeezed her new friend’s hand. “From what I hear from Gonzo and what I’ve seen so far, you’re doing an amazing job with him.”

“Thank you.” Kia stared at her and shook her head slowly.

“Okay, you need to stop looking at me like that.” She pointed a finger at Kia. “Don’t make me regret telling you.”

“I won’t. I promise. That’s just very cool. I knew I liked you, but now I like you even more.”

“Well, you’ve never tried to get between me and a chocolate bar when I have my period. It’s not pretty.”

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” Kia took a sip of her coffee. “Thanks for doing this with me. I’m not really a formal dress kind of girl.”

“No problem. I’m surprised you didn’t ask Peyton or Kendall to come with you.”

“I thought about it, but I figured this would be a good chance for us to get to know each other better.”

“I love looking at all the pretty dresses. I can’t wear most of them, but I enjoy looking.”

“Why can’t you wear them?”

“Honestly? Most of the stores don’t carry my size.”

Kia’s forehead wrinkled. “That can’t be right. They have to.”

“Mmm. Not in my experience. I’m not exactly the average size.”

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