“That’s great news!” He chuckled. “Damn, you had me nervous that it was something bad.”
“He’s dying, Vincent.”
He was quiet for a beat. “What? Are you only asking him because of that reason?”
“No. You knew I wanted to before I found this out.”
He released a sigh. “He seemed fine in December.”
I went on to explain everything to Vincent. Sam’s childhood, the transplant, his remission, and the sudden reappearance in full force that he was facing.
“I did a lot of research last night while he slept. He can fight this, but there’s no cure for it. Even if he holds it at bay for a year or two, his body will be too weak to fight it over and over. The pain he will be in…I can’t.”
“Lukas, I’m sorry.”
“He’s talking to his friends now, but tonight, I want to offer it to him. I don’t know how he’ll take all this news.”
“I imagine not well. Have you ever heard of a story where any human did? I remember when my sire came to me, offered it to me. I laughed in his face and then threw my pickax at him. Only when he removed it from his chest and I watched him heal did I maybe think he was telling me the truth. But mostly I thought I was losing my mind.”
“Yeah, my reaction was different, but I was wounded and dying so I likely thought I was hallucinating. You weren’t. It wasn’t until after I woke and what had happened was being explained to me that I had a meltdown.”
“His reaction will be what it will be. He probably will turn you down, but don’t give up on him, Lukas. Whatever he does decide in the end, just be there for him. However that looks.”
I wanted eternity with him. “I couldn’t leave him now if I wanted to.”
“Good luck, my friend.”
I disconnected the call and rested in my chair. I could hear Sam and his friends in the house laughing, making outrageous comments about my art. He had hard news to share with them, but for right now they were three best friends making a memory.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Sam
“This place is incredible.”Ben huffed amusingly. “I mean is that an actual Monet? And a Da Vinci? Oh my God, and a Winslow Homer? Sweet Jesus, Lukas must be loaded.”
Natalie cackled. “And our Sammy here caught him in his net.”
I rolled my eyes. “I honestly was trying to be his friend, and I think when he invited me to go to New York with him it was just because we were friendly. What happened there, I’m not sure, but I’m also not complaining.”
“I bet you’re not.” Natalie winked.
“So, are you going to quit the ice cream shop and live with your sugar daddy now, is that the big news?” Ben asked as he regarded some vase.
“No, that’s not why I wanted you all to come by.”
“Sir,” Winston took that moment to interrupt. “Dinner is served.”
“Thanks.” I smiled at my friends. “Let’s talk while we eat.”
Natalie, Ben, and I moved to the gorgeous dining room. It really was stunning. The table was made from a rich oak with matching chairs. Lukas had mentioned they were a family heirloom. There of course wasn’t any food on the table, but when we all sat a few staff came through the doors with domed plates.
“This is so freaking fancy,” Natalie whispered.
“Emily is going to be so jealous.” Ben was beaming. I had thought about inviting her, but I just needed to be with my best friends.
Dinner was a filet cognac, cooked perfectly, topped with portobello mushrooms, picked lobster meat, and a gorgonzola cream sauce. Mashed potatoes, and grilled vegetables complemented the dish, and for a solid fifteen minutes none of us spoke; we devoured.
“Oh my wow, this is so good.” Natalie closed her eyes as she chewed. “I’d be four hundred pounds if I ate like this all the time.”
