Page 93 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

KAI

T ime’s a funny thing. Sometimes, the days stretch out, slow and languorous. Other times, they whiz past.

Before I know it, it’s Friday.

We’ve all been tense this week. Maddox is keyed up about Gage’s engagement party. I’m worried about my surgery. Avery’s nervous about something too, but she won’t tell us what it is.

“Break a leg,” Maddox says, slapping my back.

Avery rolls her eyes. “Good luck,” she says, wrapping her arms around me and kissing me deep and slow. “You’re going to be amazing.”

I drive to the hospital and start to scrub in preparation for the OR. I’m early, but adrenaline is prickling through my body, and I’m eager to get going.

Rajesh washes up next to me. “My wife’s very irritated with you,” he remarks. “I told her I was going to be your standby, and she wanted to know what the point was.”

I’ve told him about the hand tremors, so he knows perfectly well why he’s scrubbing up too. He’s just trying to lighten the tension.

“Sorry about that. Did you have plans this evening?”

He laughs. “She wanted to go to the symphony,” he says. “I loathe classical music. I’m thrilled to get out of it, and she can take her sister instead. Win-win.”

The rest of the team files in. Lina Fen, my surgical assistant, flashes me a thumbs-up sign.

Mark Woods, the anesthesiologist, is telling a knock-knock joke, as he does before every single surgery.

Emily Arnal, Tony Tenorio, and Dustina Baker, the nursing team, who’ve heard this joke a thousand times before, still manage to crack a smile.

Penelope Tassi, the perfusionist who operates the heart-lung bypass machine, has headphones on, which she will keep on until the last possible minute.

Gotta be honest. I’ve missed these guys.

“Ready?”

Three hours in the OR. First time I’ve been back after Melody Simon died on the table.

I take a deep breath. I don’t know what will happen today, but whatever it is, I’m ready.