settled when Sia ret

onger felt the same. The sofa where she had once laughed. The small framed photo of her and Nicole, arms l

oked un

e had

uietly behind her, th

. Not with hatred. Not with sentiment. Just setting do

r the light switch

o

end

cti

herself one

co

led to her presence would c

ened t

f snacks, a warm bright smile on her face. Too wa

Like old times." She laughed lightly, ste

door behind her

be here for you." She placed the bags onto the kitchen counter and unpacked them. Chips

embered ev

s the p

ith my best friend," Nicole sa

life, Sia woul

hugged her an

believe sh

was befor

iet and polite. "That is

if she had been w

d not

ween them. The air smelled of broth and nostalgia. Nic

head against the couch. "We stayed up all night before e

careful bite.

he most," Ni

said soft

s jittering in her eyes. Somethi

th Leon Dalton today,

e it

reason sh

rprised. "Yes. He i

ou want to know. He is cold. Dangerous. He

unded sincer

ole, was simply a perfo

men gently. "Then

hat was not the a

od obediently. Trust

he script

sting her tone. Softer.

u, right? You are my sist

d her eye

ze was

etely

of you,"

breath

words were

sm

tance m

id not

smaller and tighter,

feel?" she asked.

t her fingers clenched

down carefully.

ted, expec

not get

peared. "Sia... are you nervous? Scared? U

at her. T

of hair, delicate lashes, and gentle expressions that won tr

seen her a

ing when Sia's body st

whisper to Adams,

sm

orrying about me

le s

ply not there. No shared heartbeat. No emotional

eart ha

soft, whisper-soft. "D

ent, enough to make Nicole

"Except there is somethin

fear, jealousy, and confusion all mixed in

not telling yo

" Sia

swallow

loud in the qu

like sisters, so I cannot hide anything from yo

ded. "I

ssal but did not know

d eating, Sia sug

dark, the same bed they had s

s no laughter. No whis

sil

ed her head

ia

H

e will always

, watching moonlight slic

what we are meant t

id not u

e nigh

o did

eyes. Not to sl

me had