nna's death, when Mande became the one constant in my chaotic life. Or maybe it was always there

kept me grounded, a sharp mind that saw through all the lies and pretense. And lately, I found myself watching her more than I should, noticing thi

a fleeting distraction. But the truth was, she was th

orboards. Tonight was no different. I sat in the den, a cigarette between my fingers and a drink in my

pack again, aren't you?" she sa

before exhaling slowly.

offered her. We sat there, the silence between us comfortable

teased, watching her. "When's th

"Someone has to keep things running around here. Can

heard from myself in a long time. "Falling

she always did, like she could see straight

t sometimes caught me off guard. "Well, maybe I'm not as strong as eve

es of hers. Then she reached for her drink, taking a sip before responding.

t tighten. She always had this way of cutting through the bullshi

ash from her cigarette. "You know," I said, my voice lower

Maybe that's because I know

tch between us. But my eyes stayed on her, taking in the way her hair fell ov

, my rock, the one person I could trust. But the more time I spen

" I said suddenly, the words slip

sed. "Me? Dangerous? Tha

ing my head. "Yo

hen to leave things unsaid. But as we sat there, smoking and laughing in the quiet of the night,

d me more than