At that, Lucy's smile faltered slightly, but not because she was upset. It had come so naturally, the witty banter with Jude, that while she didn't miss being with him -- quite the contrary, actually, she still thought leaving him was the best decision she'd ever made -- , she did miss this, the actual relationship they'd had.

"So...how are you, really?" she asked hesitantly. They were getting along well enough that she could ask something more serious. At least, that was what she hoped.