Taken at 32

Grace's eyes dilated as she briefly held her breath, her brows rising in surprise. There, standing not far from her vantage point, was Haines. He was leaning against the wall across from her, tapping his cane on the floor.

DING!

As the sound of his phone faded, he caught a figure from the corner of his eye. Slowly, Haines turned his head and met Grace's gaze. He peeled his back from the wall, saying nothing as he stared at her.

After a moment, Grace resumed her steps and stopped two paces from him. "You came?" she asked almost playfully. "I just sent you a text. Didn't know I'd get a response so soon."

A shallow breath escaped Haines, his mouth parting. But no words came out.

Are you sick?

Since when?

Who else knows?

You should tell Penny.

Does your mother know?

And… why one month? How long do you have left?