Not A Small-Town Girl

Chapter 9-1

"You’re overthinking this," David said to his grandfather. "Get some rest. I have company matters to attend to, so I’m leaving now." Without waiting for a response, he strode toward the door, desperate to escape another lecture.

His phone buzzed with messages from the "Soufield Handsome Man Group Chat-a name that made him cringe, though its members could sway the entire nation’s economy with a single decision.

Joshua Barnes: [Drinks at Divine Club tonight?]

Andrew Graham: [Perfect, it’s been too long.]

Cameron West: [See you tonight.]

Joshua’s messages flooded David’s screen. [@David, don’t tell me you’re bailing again!]

[@David, no excuses this time.]

or I’m camping

[Fine.] He then muted the chat before the mounting headache

York Pharmacy-her special prescriptions were running low, and it had been too long since she’d made any

passed the garden terrace, she spotted her parents enjoying

Mom’s

eyes

into a chair, Audrey glided onto the scene. "Oh, you’re having coffee!" She inhaled dramatically. "These must be the special beans I

poured a cup

simply must

topped off her parents’ cups with practiced sophistication, radiating self-importance. ’Poor thing probably only

studied her cup without

ever had specialty coffee? This particular

here," Danielle replied with a sweet smile that didn’t

carefully curated influencer smile faltered as she caught Danielle’s meaning - her fake sweetness wasn’t fooling