Not A Small-Town Girl

"Danielle, go enjoy your date with David. Don’t worry about us," Vivian said, her voice full of encouragement.

Sienna, on the other hand, could barely contain her jealousy. Ever since she arrived, the Darling family had treated her with polite indifference. But the moment Danielle appeared, all attention shifted to her, leaving Sienna feeling invisible-even Joseph barely acknowledged her anymore.

"We’ll head out now. I won’t stay out too late," Danielle said sweetly, looking at her family.

"Danielle, you’re ditching your brothers to have dinner with some random guy?" Xavier whined dramatically, putting on a pout.

"Stop it, Xavier. Let your sister go," Howard said, giving him a playful swat on the head.

"Dad! Ow! That hurt-and you messed up my hair!" Xavier complained, rubbing his head with an exaggerated grimace.

home early," David said smoothly, his tone carrying a

and Xavier shot him matching glares, their

Starlight Restaurant.

was designed around a starry night theme, and the quiet evenings made the ambiance even

scattered across the restaurant ceiling, paired with the warm glow of the lights, created an atmosphere so

of other diners. "Did you rent out the whole place?" she asked,

she stammered, "W-who said this is a date? We’re just having dinner!" Her heart betrayed her, thumping harder with every word. It felt like a

perfect?’ she wondered. ’Is it really

forward and asked politely,

a small