Rick turned the smile at Li before letting it fade naturally, taking little notes in his mind where no one could see. "We're just taking a break, Li."
He and Ed were of the same mind about James and Jude, and he certainly wasn't going to get involved in whatever was passing over their heads about that. Rick found that observing and letting the silence talk generally informed him of more than pointed questions or demands. There was a time for those.
Just at the moment, however, James dominated his attention. Former lovers can do that, because generally you automatically picture them naked and in the dark. It was a nice picture. "I'd ask you how you've been, but you look great."