Page 79 of Home in Nevada

I glance up from my bagel, my eyebrows raising at the bright blue gum sitting there like it belongs. "Dude, that’s gross. Don’t do that."

She just shrugs. "It would probably start with that waiter over there," she says, pointing to the lanky guy trying not to spill a tray of coffees.

I consider it, then nod toward the barista behind the counter. The guy looks like he’s one deep stretch away from ripping through his shirt. "Nah, it’d be that guy. He’d go full 28 Days Later on this place."

Lucy laughs. "Or maybe it’d be me! I’d go across this table and—" She lunges at me, grabbing for my tank top like she’s about to tackle me.

"Whoa, chill out," I say, leaning back and brushing crumbs off my lap.

She settles back in her chair, still laughing, but then her expression shifts. "Jeff… I miss Nichole." Her voice is softer now, and she rests her chin on her palm, staring into her mug like it’s got answers.

"You two still talking a lot?" I ask, keeping my tone casual, even though the question weighs heavier than I’d like.

She nods. "Yeah, we talk, but it’s not the same." Then she gives me this weird look, tilting her head. "Don’t you ever think about Jamie? Like, how he’d react to stuff, or what he’d order for breakfast?"

"Not really," I say, shrugging, but the lie feels flimsy even as I say it.

"For real?" She slaps her knee, like I’ve just said something absurd. "That’s crazy! I think about Nichole all the time. I can’t stop."

"That sucks," I say, my voice flat. "You should try to think about other stuff, though. I mean, you still talk to her, right? Just… try to forget about her the rest of the day."

Lucy shakes her head, laughing. "Oh my God, I don’t get you at all."

I lean over the table, staring at her blankly. "You’re being dramatic."

"Fuck off," she huffs, shoving my face away. "When do you miss Jamie the most?"

"Nope, not doing this," I say, sitting back in my chair.

"Come on, Jeff,feel it,"she teases, kicking me under the table. It hurts.

"Ow! Jesus." I glare at her, but she just grins.

"When do you miss Jamie?" she presses.

I sigh, knowing she’s not going to let it go. "Uh, when we’re talking on the phone, I guess."

Lucy bursts out laughing, and I grab my bagel plate, pretending to chuck it at her.

"Shut up. Why’d you even ask?"

"How can you miss him while you’re talking to him?"

"That’s a stupid question."

"What?!" She kicks me again, softer this time. "Explain."

"Because of his voice and stuff," I mumble, trying not to sound defensive.

"Because of his voice and stuff?" she repeats, making me sound like an idiot.

"Yeah. When I hear his voice, it’s like he’s here, but he’s not. I want to see his face, know what he’s really thinking. And then he talks about all the cool stuff he’s doing, and I wasn’t there. It sucks.

Lucy smiles at me, her teasing dropping for a second. "Yeah, it does suck."

"Well, now that you’ve ruined my Sunday," I say, mock-glaring at her while she smirks, "let’s go hit the beach."

"Good. I need to work on my tan," she quips, already standing up and grabbing her stuff.

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