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.]

answer or I’m camping at

curtly: [Fine.] He then muted the chat

small bag. She planned to visit York Pharmacy-her special prescriptions were running low, and it had been too long since

garden terrace, she

come try Mom’s

called, her eyes

glided onto the scene. "Oh, you’re having coffee!" She inhaled dramatically. "These must be the

poured a

you simply must

off her parents’ cups with practiced sophistication, radiating self-importance. ’Poor thing probably only knows instant coffee from her backwater

studied her cup without

ever had specialty coffee? This particular blend..." Audrey began with

know exactly what’s brewing here," Danielle replied with a

faltered as she caught Danielle’s meaning -