Page 367 of End Game

I miss hearing whatever inappropriate thing he would’ve said when Alexis announced that rage makes women harder to kill.

I miss him reaching across the table for my drink because he finished his and apparently mine belongs to him too.

None of that disappeared because I laughed tonight.

Maybe that’s the part I’m still learning.

Missing someone and being miserable aren’t the same thing.

Someone can leave a space behind without turning it into a hole.

The thought settles easier than I expect it to.

Ronan finally closes his notebook. “That’s where we’re stopping.”

Alexis looks genuinely offended. “What? Why?”

“Because it’s after eleven.”

“So?”

Shawn smiles. “I told you.”

She turns to him. “What?”

“You’d like it.”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t like it.”

Cami reaches across the table and squeezes her hand. “You’re coming back.”

Alexis looks at Ronan. “Am I?”

Ronan adjusts his glasses. “I suppose.”

Shawn’s dimples appear. “That means yes.”

“I know.”

Ronan points at Alexis. “The goose is not permanent.”

“It absolutely is.”

“No.”

“We’ll see.”

Cami leans toward her. “I’ll help you.”

“I know you will.”

Ronan looks at me. “Do something.”

I push back from the table. “I’m going to smoke.”

“Micah.”

“Good luck.”