Title: Miles from Where You Are

Disclaimer: I own nothing, obviously, because if I did Cody Longo would have been bumped to series regular before Brothers and Sisters could steal him for a miniscule one-episode stint.

Spoilers: 2x01

Warning: Don't read if you haven't seen the season two premiere!

Notes: Well, even though I haven't seen the last like three episodes of the Season One, I watched the Season Two premiere and I wrote this to that episode, a side order of Kaylicky. To be honest, writing The Difference Between is really depressing me right now and so I needed to write this and get it out of my system. I hope everyone enjoys it.

Summary: "Three visits in one week? To what do I owe this pleasure, Princess?" Approximately thirty miles separate Boulder and Denver. Kaylie and Nicky learn distance is nothing between friends.

Miles From Where You Are

Friends Close, Enemies Closer

"He dumped me. I was ready to give it another chance and even though he's the one who cheated he dumped me."

"And I thought that maybe when you called me and said you wanted to meet up and talk, it would be about you being suspended from the National Team."

Kaylie Cruz tears her red and puffy eyes away from the gleaming stars overhead and looks over at Nicky Russo who's wearing that omnipresent and infuriating smile. They're at their spot. Nicky calls it the best place in Denver to stargaze and Kaylie's sure it's where normal teenagers go to make out on the weekends. It's late, but the entire sky is lit and the two are lounging out on the hood of Kaylie's convertible, the only car at the lookout point.

Earlier, sitting out in front of the pizza place, feeling like a complete idiot, Kaylie called Nicky. She needed someone to talk to, someone reserved and isolated from the whole situation. Payson was busy, training (what Kaylie should have been doing instead of ruminating over Carter Anderson). Emily had to work with Carter Anderson. Lauren's too involved and would say sweet nothings rather than the truth, something Kaylie really needed right now.

It almost feels too natural to call Nicky and drive straight over. She doesn't even tell her parents where she's going, but she's sure they have their own issues to work through and she doesn't need to bother them with her own. Nicky quickly agrees, easily picking up on how upset she is by simply listening to her voice over the phone. And now here they are.

Kaylie groans. "I don't even want to think about the national committee right now."

Nicky chuckles. "Fine. Then back to Carter, I guess."

"Oh Carter," Kaylie sighs.

"Yup. My favorite subject," Nicky says sarcastically.

Her forehead crinkles as Kaylie looks over at him. "You don't want to hear this, do you?"

"If it'll make you feel any better then say it," he suggests.

"I mean it was nice that he was honest for once. I could tell he wasn't telling me the whole truth though. Carter has always been totally transparent. But at least I don't have to keep hoping and wishing for something that's apparently over," she says, pulling her knees up to her chest. "As glad as I am that we've finally cleared up the 'will they, won't they', it still hurts so much."

"Yeah, but that's life, y'know?" Nicky says softly. "Not having Carter Anderson following you around like a puppy isn't going to kill you, Kaylie. If anything, it's a good thing."

She raises her dark eyebrows in question. "How so?"

Nicky shrugs his shoulders up and down. "With all that over and done with, it leaves more room in your life for gymnastics. Last time Carter screwed you over you had to compete the next day and came out National Champion. And don't give me any BS about Payson and her injury. I'm finally able to admit that you earned your title. You made your anger work for you. Now you just need to do the same thing with the pain."

"That's surprisingly insightful, Nicky," Kaylie says with a little grateful nod. "But, you know, building a time machine and going back to fix things seems like a way more fun idea."

Nicky laughs. At least she isn't crying anymore. That must be a good sign.

"Believe me, I'm right there with you, waiting on time travel," Nicky assures her. He relaxes against the windshield at his back and looks up at the stars, his wrists crossed at the nape of his neck.

Kaylie leans back and tilts her head just right so she can see his face. "Aw, Russo, do you miss the Rock? Do you wish you could go back in time and stay?"

"Sometimes. Whatever," Nicky says. "No. It's just…putting a bunch of determined, bitchy teenage girls in one room, all of them competing and lusting for gold, it's just a bad idea in general. Sharing a gym with Kelly Parker may be arguably worse than sharing one with the self-proclaimed Rock Rebels."

"Lusting for gold? Really, Nicky?"

Nicky smirks. "Yeah, I knew you'd like the word choice."

Kaylie bites back a smile and looks down at her hands. "I've really missed this, you know?"

"What? Our lighthearted banter?"

"Is that what we're calling it now?" she asks playfully.

"It's still sort of hard to put a word to it," Nicky admits, scratching the back of his head. He then brings his gaze to her bright brown eyes and smiles. "Granted, I did sorta miss you too."

"Sorta?" Kaylie asks. Her eyebrows lift to her hairline.

"Maybe just a little bit," he coyly replies.

"A little?"

"Hey. I should be in bed sleeping right now because I have a big day tomorrow, but, no, I'm out here, answering Kaylie Cruz's every beck and call," he says defensively. "Would I really do all this, if I didn't?"

Kaylie smiles because she knows this is the closest she'll get to a firm "I missed you too, Kaylie" and at this point in time she'll take it.

You should probably be getting back," Nicky says. "The drive shouldn't be too bad."

"Yeah…" Her voice trails off and her lips turn down. Nicky can't help, but notice.

"God, Kaylie, what's wrong now?" He asks, trying to sound more irritable than he really is.

"It's stupid…"

"How many times do I have to tell you? Just say what you mean, Cruz."

"I could really use a hug right now," Kaylie confesses. She looks up at Nicky and he's wearing that uncomfortable look that brings her right back to Valentine's Day, where they had that talk about getting too close, in the Rock parking lot. Kaylie fumbles with her fingers, searching for the right words. "See I told it you it was stupid. Forget I said anything."

"Is it safe this time?" he asks and he looks so serious it makes Kaylie laugh a little. She bites her bottom lip and nods vigorously. "C'mere, Princess."

Nicky opens his arms and Kaylie scoots over, sliding right in. Her arms encircle his neck and his go to her lower back. Her face fits nicely into the crook of his neck and Nicky leans into her. They stay like that for a moment, neither talking, both letting their actions speak louder than any awkward words they'd try to string together. Kaylie holds on tight as if she can literally feel reality trying to rip her from him and Nicky runs comforting circles across her back with his hands, telling her that he's there for her and he always will be.

"Goodnight, Nicky," Kaylie says when they finally part ways. "And thanks."

"Yeah, drive safely."

…

Kaylie feels sick to her stomach, having just pledged her apparent allegiance to the NGO, going behind Sasha's back after all he's done for them. The second she leaves Ellen Beals' presence, Kaylie feels the weight of everything they've just done, the potential consequences they've just provoked, crash down on her. She slides her phone free from her pocket, about to check her messages and try to take things her mind off the deal she's just made with the devil when she rams right into someone.

Kaylie immediately starts apologizing, "Sorry, I wasn't—"

"Jeez, Cruz, you and that damn cell phone. Seriously, you might as well get it surgically connected to your hand because it isn't like you can put it down even if you wanted to anyways."

She stands there, gaping, before her eyes narrow in a glare.

"It's nice to see you too, Russo."

Nicky smirks, folding his arms over his chest. "Déjà vu, much?"

"No kidding," Kaylie agrees. "Nicky, why didn't you tell me about the National Team meeting without us?"

"You didn't ask," he replies playfully. Kaylie looks furious. "Relax, Princess. I didn't even know about it the other night."

"We had to find out about it through Kelly Parker's tweet," she explains. "You could have texted me about about it."

"And rub it in your face that you're suspended?" Nicky asks. "I wasn't about to do that to you."

They stand there for a moment, Nicky staring down at her while Kaylie tries hard to decipher whether he's purposefully being a jerk or being sweet by trying to spare her feelings. It's then that Lauren and Emily turn the corner and come up behind her. Since the one thing Nicky Russo and Kaylie Cruz fail at is talking at a normal speaking volume when together, a great part of Kaylie is sure her teammates heard at least some of that conversation. The thought makes her inwardly cringe.

"Aww, how sweet. Kaylicky reunited," Lauren purrs, sauntering over. The two immediately tense at their press proclaimed couple name. "Sorry we walked in on your little moment."

"There's no moment to walk in on," Nicky says smoothly. "So what are you girls doing in Denver?"

"Kissing NGO ass," Emily says dully.

"Really?" he asks. "And how was that?"

"Horrible," Kaylie answers, frowning. "I swear if any of this gets back to Sasha it's going to destroy him."

"Oh, would you quit looking so guilty? How many times do I have to say it?" Lauren bursts out. "We did what we had to do. They suspended us from the team and we took it into our own hands, talked to Beals and hopefully everything will turn out how we want it. Taking action is always better than sitting around and waiting for what you want to come to you."

"As much as it pains me, I've got to agree with Lauren," Nicky adds. "You were backed into a corner and you fought your way out. We're all focused on going to Worlds and eventually the Olympics and we have to do whatever we need to do to get there. There's nothing wrong with that."

"Wow. You sound just like Payson. No wonder you two are perfect for each other," Kaylie says dryly. She's in such a bad mood that she's having a hard time guarding herself and she let the words slip. Emily looks confused by her tone, Lauren looks oddly excited and Nicky's just looking at her, always unreadable when he wants to be.

"Speaking of Payson, is she here with you?" Nicky asks. He can't keep the hope out of his voice.

"Yeah, she's in there, talking to Miss Bitch," Kaylie says. "I mean, Miss Beals."

"Name calling isn't going to help anyone, Kaylie," Lauren scolds through gritting teeth disguised as a wide smile. "So Nicky, we were right about to grab some lunch. Care to join us? Since you're a Denver resident now you can show us the best place to grab a cob salad."

"Sure," he replies. "Sounds fun."

When Payson finally rejoins them, a wide smile crawls across her face when she spots Nicky. He greets her with a hug and the other girls are sure to tease Payson about the color in her cheeks. Lunch is spent picking at salads (their appetites practically nonexistent after that meeting) and listening to Payson talk about how she's almost completely better and eager to hit the mat and regain her skill. Nicky nods and listens and responds, but the other girls are distracted to say the least.

Emily just stares out the window, probably thinking about Damon (or maybe feeling bad for Sasha) and Lauren and Kaylie are constantly on their cell phones. What the rest of the table doesn't know is that Lauren and Kaylie are texting each other. Well, it's more of a one-sided conversation where Lauren mercilessly accuses Kaylie of being jealous of Nicky and Payson back together and Kaylie texting back, telling her to shut the fuck up.

Nicky insists on paying the bill, being the gentleman he is and the girls put up a fight, but as always, Nicky gets his way in the end. Payson is anxious to get back to the Rock to fit in a workout and Lauren's eager to get back to Boulder for reasons she says she'd rather not discuss and the rest of the group just doesn't ask. Kaylie says she has a few errands to run in town and Emily doesn't mind waiting since Lauren's car only fits two.

"So what kind of errands do you need to do in Denver?" Nicky asks. They're standing by her convertible, already having said goodbye to Lauren and Payson. Kaylie looks over at him cautiously. It's the first time he's talked to her since his reunion with Payson.

"There's this butcher shop on Main Street. My dad calls it the best meats in Colorado. He's been out of town for a while and since I'm already here I thought I'd pick up some steaks for him, just a little something for him to come home to," Kaylie explains.

"Um, I think it's time I made a pretty important phone call," Emily says.

"Hmm, Damon, maybe?" Kaylie asks. She can't help, but notice the way Emily's entire face goes a soft shade of pink. Even though she just had her heart crushed and she's losing faith in love doesn't mean Kaylie's about to rain on Emily's parade too. "I'll only be gone a couple minutes."

"Alright." Emily nods. "I'll just wait in the car."

Kaylie starts walking and Nicky sticks right by her side.

"This is real thoughtful of you, Princess," Nicky says teasingly. Kaylie rolls her eyes, wondering when he'll give up the stupid pet name. She looks up at Nicky (because he's just that much taller than her) and she notices how his face is so suddenly solemn. "So how are you dealing with the whole parents thing?"

Kaylie shrugs. "We'll work through it. We always do." Kaylie looks around the quiet streets of Denver, racking her brain for any change of topic. "So, um, you and Payson looked happy to be back together."

Nicky smirks. "Jealous?"

Kaylie scowls. "Of what?"

"Exactly," Nicky says before laughing. "Everything with Payson…it's good."

"Good as in potential relationship good or good as in actual relationship good?" Kaylie interrogates, trying to sound casual and achieving the exact opposite.

"Good as in good friends good," Nicky replies. "We both agreed that the most important thing right now is our gymnastics careers. We're only sixteen, not to mention elite gymnasts. If it's real then it'll be real further down the road, y'know?"

"But people grow apart," Kaylie says quietly.

"The way I see it, that's the real way to tell how important someone is to you," Nicky says. "If you really care about that person then you'll do anything to fight and keep them in your life and vise versa. It's a two way street. When people grow apart, it's sad, yeah, and it hurts, sure, but then ulterior motives come to light and it's better to be jaded then oblivious. At least, that's what I think."

"No, it makes sense," she agrees. "I'll keep that in mind."

They trade shy smiles and bicker all the way to the butcher shop and back to her car. He places the box of steaks in her trunk and pulls her into a quick hug, regardless if Emily is watching or not. Kaylie playfully shoves him off of her, pretending to be disgusted by the brief contact. She promises to text him later and Nicky waves goodbye as they drive off.

"So did you reach Damon?" Kaylie asks, just making conversation.

"No. His phone doesn't seem to be working in Europe," Emily says.

"I'm sorry..."

"No, it's fine. It just sort of sucks, not getting to say goodbye," she says, staring down at her hands in her lap. Kaylie doesn't know how to respond to that so she just doesn't say anything. "So you and Nicky seem pretty close," Emily says on the drive back.

"What's that?" Kaylie asks, pretending not to hear her.

"Just an observation," Emily says quickly. "I'm not accusing you of anything, Kaylie. I kinda went through sort of the same thing with Razor, remember?"

"So you're hanging out with your oldest friend's crush?" Kaylie asks uncertainly.

"Okay, maybe not the exact same thing," Emily says hesitantly and Kaylie manages a genuine smile. "Try getting close to your crush's best friend who might have had a crush on you. Okay, yeah, completely opposite situations, but I know what it's like to get close to someone you aren't supposed to."

"I'm just glad Nicky's in Denver," Kaylie says. "No distractions around the Rock. It's just what Payson and I need."

Emily laughs. "If I've learned anything it's that it's just miles. Miles don't mean a thing."

Kaylie gives her this quizzical look and all Emily does in reply is laugh. They settle into a comfortable silence with the radio playing in the background and Emily texting on her phone, smiling to herself. Meanwhile, what Emily said about miles and distance not mattering, it's something Kaylie finds herself thinking about all throughout the drive home.

…

"Three visits in one week? To what do I owe this pleasure, Princess?"

They meet at their spot and it's barely dusk, but already so cold. Kaylie has her arms wrapped around herself as she remains behind the wheel of her car and she sees Nicky and that smirk and she hears his teasing, but she can't even bring herself to smile, not this time. Nicky immediately picks up on her darkened mood as he rounds the front of the convertible, pulls open the passenger side door and climbs right in beside her.

"Let me guess…Carter again?" he asks.

"No, well, sorta, but mostly Lauren and Carter because, you know, they're a thing now."

"Ah, my other favorite topic," Nicky says. Oh, that sarcasm. "Go on."

"Apparently, they've been sleeping together. That night I told you about, when I called him and told him I was giving him another chance, they were hooking up," Kaylie says. It's hard for her to wrap her mind around the whole thing. "Lauren told me herself. See, I knew Carter wasn't telling me everything. He conveniently left out the part about him continuing to sleep with my best friend and her, how could she pretend that we're still best friends and everything is okay when all of that was going on behind my back? Everything I told her, especially when it came to Carter...now I feel like an even bigger idiot."

"So she just randomly came up to you and was all, 'hey Kaylie, I know we're best friends forever, but, oh, I'm sleeping with your ex who you might take back?'" Nicky asks, confused. "Jeez, drama at the Rock."

"Seriously, you have no idea. She got pissed over this stupid photoshoot and started screaming how life comes easy to me, which is completely wrong. My life consistently sucks," Kaylie says, handing him the envelope sitting on her dashboard.

Nicky slides the glossy photograph free from the brown envelope and takes a look at it. He gets this sort of goofy look on his face, smirking, at the image of Kaylie, all decked out in the black and gold leotard, the center of the composition. Her thick, dark hair is thrown over one shoulder with two hot pink streaks through it. Her eyes are outlined in thick, black liquid lines, eyelids smeared over with violet eyeshadow and her lips a bold crimson. Someone might be taking this 'Rock Rebels' thing a little too far.

"Wow. You look beyond ridiculous, like you're about to go on stage with KISS or something," Nicky laughs. Slightly embarrassed, Kaylie leans over to steal it back, but Nicky holds it way out of her reach. Damn those long, muscular arms of his.

"Anyway, as I was saying, it was supposed to be Lauren, Emily and me on the cover, but I guess the photographer or whoever chose that one of just me," Kaylie says. "I tried to e-mail and see if the magazine would reconsider, but that's the one they liked best and they're sticking with it."

"Don't be so modest," Nicky says. "You look great."

Kaylie can't help the way her cheeks start to redden and she tries to look away. First he says she looks ridiculous and now he says she looks great. Mixed signals, much? Kaylie clears her throat and says, "Nicky, that's besides the point."

"It is true though." Nicky smiles over at her. "You're the National Champ, Kaylie. You earned it. I say flaunt it. Plus, you make this rock-glam garbage look hot."

"Are you flirting with me?" Kaylie accuses. "Really, you choose now of all times to do this?"

Nicky laughs. "Well, I'm not about to badmouth Carter and Lauren with you or put on a Taylor Swift song and cry about it like one of your girlfriends. You should have gone to Emily or someone if that's what you wanted. Trying to distract you seems like the only thing to do."

"Distract me?" she repeats questioningly. "You mean hit on me."

"Like Kaylie Cruz doesn't enjoy the spotlight," he says in return. The air surrounding them grows rather uneasy so Nicky licks his lips, searching for something else to talk about. "So I hear you're back on top."

"Yeah, and I hear Kelly Parker isn't going to France; something about a wrist injury. Nicky, I really appreciate your concern, but you didn't need to take out the competition just for me," Kaylie says, hoping for their usually lightheartedness to return.

"Hey, I never fucked anybody over in my life who didn't have it coming to them. You got that?" he says in his best mob boss impersonation. Nicky bursts out in laughter and Kaylie can't help, but join him. "Wow, that was bad, huh?"

"Yeah, it'd probably be in your best interest to stick with gymnastics because…wow," Kaylie says. She looks over at him and Nicky is still holding that glossy print in his hands, giving it another look over. Kaylie rolls her eyes and sighs. "If you like it so much you should keep it because I really don't need the reminder."

"Gee golly, really?" he asks sarcastically.

Kaylie glares at him. "Not if you're just going to mock me all night."

"Only if you autograph it. I'll put it up in my locker and it will drive all the guys I train with crazy," he says with a devious smile. "They all think I'm lying when I say I know and even trained with the amazing Kaylie Cruz, National Champion. I know about a dozen guys who'd kill their careers just to talk to you. Seriously, breaking up with Carter Anderson doesn't mean the end of the world, Kaylie."

"As reassuring as that is to hear, I'm through with boys and dating for now," she says firmly. "Really, at this point in my life, I don't need any of that. If I'm going to have any chance at defending my title then I'm going to need to focus."

"Wow, that's oddly mature of you, Cruz," Nicky says. "What are you going to do about Lauren?"

"What can I do about Lauren?" Kaylie asks. "I don't trust her anymore, that's for sure. It's like what you were saying the other day when we were walking to the butcher's. I'd rather know what's going on than continue to be someone's fool. Lauren and me have done everything together since we were eight-years-old. Maybe it's finally time for a little growing apart. Maybe we weren't that important to each other, after all. I don't really know, but I'll definitely text you and keep you updated."

"I'm so excited." Nicky deadpans. "Anyways, have you eaten yet? I'm starving."

"Actually, I should probably head back," she says, wincing. "My dad's back in town. He'll wonder where I am."

"Okay. Cool." Nicky smiles, but there's something he isn't saying and he's keeping it hidden behind his eyes. It looks something like disappointment.

"But how about dinner Friday night?" Kaylie asks eagerly.

"Kaylie Cruz, are you asking me out?" he asks, dramatically pressing his palm to his chest. "I'm sorry, but I'm not about to be your rebound guy."

Kaylie rolls her eyes. "Says the guy who was hitting on me a second ago."

Nicky smiles slyly. "Just because you sounded so sweetly desperate when you asked, I would love to have dinner with you, Kaylie Cruz. On the one condition that we talk about anything and everything other than your teenage soap opera of a life which you'll probably rant to me via text beforehand anyways."

"No talking about drama?" Kaylie gasps. "Then what are we supposed to talk about? I'm a little afraid you'll start resorting to bad Scar Face impersonations again and, well, you know how that instantly kills a moment."

"Good point. Maybe I should write down some key talking points on cue cards for the both of us," Nicky says jokingly. Kaylie smiles down at her lap, trying to hide how she's clearly amused. "So I know how you love driving into Denver, but that would make it your fourth time this week. I really wouldn't mind going into Boulder."

"No, I like the drive," Kaylie says. "It's just far enough from Boulder and everything going on there, but close enough that I can get home before one of my parents files a missing persons report."

"It's a good thirty miles away." Nicky nods.

"It's a less than forty-five minute drive without traffic," Kaylie says knowingly. "Not a big deal, Nicky."

"Alright," Nicky says. "Sounds good."

Nicky pushes the door open and gets ready to step out when Kaylie grabs his shoulder and pushes him back into his seat. With his dark eyebrows askew, Nicky looks over at her questioningly.

"But just so you know, Russo, it's not a date," Kaylie says clearly. "I'm not dating right now."

"Alright," he says. Seconds later and his infamous smirk reappears. "Just know that I don't kiss on non-dates."

Kaylie shakes her head, laughing. "I think that's something I can live with."

"Suit yours." Nicky shrugs. "Now, autograph my picture?"

"I was joking," Kaylie says.

"I wasn't," Nicky retorts.

Kaylie sighs, leaning over and pulling a sharpie from the glove compartment. She takes the glossy photograph in her hands and stares at it for a moment. It's funny how a single photo in a plain envelope could shatter a friendship almost spanned her whole life thus far. Sighing, Kaylie addresses it to Nicky, scrawls her name across the bottom and adds a few hearts. She thinks it's better that Nicky keeps the picture. Having it lay around her house would just be another reminder of all the things she's lost this year.

"Happy?"

"Very," Nicky says. "I really do like the strips of hot pink in your hair. It emphasizes the rebelliousness."

"It was temporary color," Kaylie says, "And no one would take me seriously if it was real."

"Hate to break it to you, Cruz, but no one takes you seriously now," he points out.

Kaylie's offended and it shows on her face. She hits him on the shoulder and when Nicky laughs it only further provokes her. Kaylie starts hitting him repeatedly and Nicky tries to fend her off, seizing her wrists and easily overpowering her. That smile of his is contagious and Kaylie's shoulders slump in defeat as she sharply pulls her hands from his tight grasp.

She brings herself to meet his eyes that match his smile, shining. There's something different about him. He isn't Android Nicky Russo anymore. He's loosened up, more carefree and all this change happened after he escaped from the Rock and all that drama. Kaylie also likes to think that compromising with her, training with her, befriending her, has something to do with this change in him, but with Nicky Russo, nothing's a sure thing.

"So, do you think things would have been different if I stayed in Boulder?" he asks suddenly.

Kaylie simply shrugs. "Well, Payson came back…"

"I mean, between you and me," he corrects her. She breaks their shared gaze. She does have to breathe at some point and Kaylie can't do that with the way he's looking at her right now.

"I don't know," Kaylie says truthfully, "But I'm glad we're still friends."

"Of course. The Denver Elite girls have nothing on the Rock Rebels," Nicky says, his voice rising a bit in forced enthusiasm. He then pushes the door open and gets out, leaving Kaylie there, alone, questioning what just happened there. Nicky walks over to her side and gives her one last, gold-winning smile just to reassure her that everything's okay even with the awkward note their little meeting ended on. "Have a nice night, Princess."

"I'll see you Friday," Kaylie says, to which Nicky nods, waves lazily and gets into his car. He starts the engine and the headlights turn on, and Kaylie expects the unnecessarily loud rumble of his engine, but then hears nothing.

As Kaylie starts her car, her phone buzzes with a new text message.

I know nothing can happen with you and me right now, but I just want you to know that sometimes, hanging out with you, I still get those butterflies.

Kaylie looks across the way and sees him sitting in his car, looking right at her. She watches him for a moment, wondering if all his teasing and those playful remarks actually have substance to them. Maybe they aren't just his way of helping her cope and distracting her. Maybe there's some truth there. Either way, Kaylie knows she isn't in the right condition to be in a relationship with anyone and it's nice to know Nicky respects that.

The only time Kaylie breaks their shared gaze is when she looks down at her phone and texts back a simple and completely honest, me too.

Fini