[ Alex jerks back into the moment. They're at brunch with food in front of them, it's not the time to navigate the murky waters of emotional intimacy and just how much personal history actually means here.

She delicately saws off the edge of a waffle, careful to nab a plump blackberry along the way. Alex smiles knowingly at Worick. Even under all the complaining the thread of fondness of their missing friend is evident. ]

Oh yes! I can do lasagna. I know where to get fresh tomatoes and I can add some meat sauce... [ 'meat' sauce. has anyone had the bug talk with him yet? she swore to herself that she'd never do that again. ] Does that sound good?

[ He might be able to tell by the subtle shift of her eye that she's compiling a digital shopping list with her implant. The future is now. ]

I'll make one even Nicolas would approve of.