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Jude.

He's sitting across from me, his forearms resting on the table, green eyes fixed on mine.

He doesn't say anything. He doesn't need to.

I'm here. I'm with you.

The fist around my heart loosens a little, and I give him a small smile.

I know, Grumpy.

“Oh my God, Dex, look!”

I turn towards Lexy, who's pointing between Jude and me with the absolute subtlety of a drunk toddler.

“They can talk without words too! Just like us!”

Oh Jesus.

Dex laughs, but something about it doesn't quite reach his eyes. His gaze moves to Jude, and for just a second, his expression changes.

Almost sad.

Jude sees it too. His eyes drop to the glass in his hand before he downs the entire thing.

Well then, I guess we're all drinking tonight.

“So we're all going to be hungover on our flight tomorrow?” I ask, lifting a fresh glass of limoncello spritz.

“Hell yes!” Chiara exclaims, already giggling.

Oh Lord.

“All right. To Sicily!”

Everyone raises their glasses.

“To Sicily!”

We drink, although I take my time finishing mine.

The warmth of the alcohol is already spreading through my body, making everything feel a little softer around the edges.

Enough.

I put the empty glass down and reach for a bottle of water instead. Lexy gives up on the limoncello spritzes not long after that, and even Chiara eventually grabs some water.

I take a long sip.

See? I tell grief, the bitch sitting next to me. Progress.

She shakes her head at me.

Whatever.

Three months ago, I would've kept drinking until I couldn't feel anything. Tonight, I don't want to stop feeling because I'm having too much fun.

Tipsy is enough.