“Sorry, Alice,” Lucas suddenly said, his deep black eyes full of self-blame. “I shouldn’t have come with you.”
I looked up at him, puzzled. “Why are you apologizing? This has nothing to do with you.”
“Is Ryan your boyfriend?” Lucas’s voice was low, almost as if he were talking to himself.
I froze for a moment. “Boyfriend?” I shook my head. “Of course not.”
“I don’t mean any harm, Alice,” Lucas looked up at me, his eyes meeting mine. “I’m a dying man. I just want to make amends, to protect you with whatever time I have left.” His voice trembled, as if he was using every ounce of his strength.
I looked at him, a complicated and indescribable emotion rising in my chest. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to tell him the good news about his illness too soon. Perhaps testing his char
