Some part of Derek would like to talk about it, but a larger part feels a lot better when Lucy either doesn't pick up on the fact that his smile isn't quite right or she does and she decides to let it go. Derek lost Laura several years ago but sometimes it still stings. Werewolves losing a pack member, especially their Alpha, feels like losing a limb that'll never grow back. He can function, but he's broken and it takes more effort. That feeling never seems to fade.

He laughs a little at her story though, because how can he not? "I have an SUV back home, too. They say they're safer, but I think in the end it's probably all the same, you know? I like this one better, in any case, it's just no good for moving stuff." Which he'd had to do when he'd finally gotten out of the burned out shell of the old Hale House in the woods and relocated to the loft in the abandoned warehouse he purchased instead, thinking that it'd mean more privacy. Instead, it had meant unsolicited black light and paint parties while he wasn't home to tell them no. Go figure.

"So you're into barbecue, huh?" he asks. "I would've thought more, like...comfort foods. I don't know, I've only been down South for a few months. I don't know how you pick, honestly, because you've got such great food down here, I swear."