XXV

Danielle focused on unloading the groceries, trying to ignore the way Izzy's question lingered in the air. She knew her aunt well enough to know this conversation wasn't over.

Sure enough, as soon as the last bag was emptied, Izzy leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching her with that knowing look.

"So," Izzy started casually, "you're saying that if Maya Hart called you right now and asked you to hang out, you wouldn't drop everything?"

Danielle gave her an unimpressed look. "I'm saying that I have things to do."

Izzy smirked. "That's not a no."

Danielle sighed, rubbing her temple. "Why are you like this?"

Izzy laughed. "Because it's fun." She reached for the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. "But also because I know you, and I can tell when something—or someone—is getting under your skin."

Danielle opened her mouth to argue but stopped when her phone buzzed on the counter. Both she and Izzy glanced at it at the same time.

Maya🐦

You home?

Izzy grinned. "Speak of the devil."

Danielle sighed but picked up her phone, typing back a quick Yeah, why? before locking the screen and shoving it in her pocket.

Izzy watched her with raised brows. "That's all you're gonna say?"

Danielle shot her a look. "What do you want me to say? 'Yes, Maya, I'm home, and also my aunt is being unbearable'?"

Izzy laughed. "I mean, honesty is important in friendships."

Danielle shook her head and walked out of the kitchen, ignoring Izzy's laughter as she made her way to the living room.

Her phone buzzed again.

Maya🐦

Come outside.

Danielle blinked. Then, without thinking, she grabbed her jacket and slipped on her shoes.

Izzy leaned against the kitchen doorway, smirking as she watched her. "I thought you had things to do?"

Danielle shot her a glare before walking out the door, her stomach twisting slightly as she stepped onto the front porch and spotted Maya leaning against her car.

She really didn't know what to do with this girl.

Danielle crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe as she took in the sight of Maya casually resting against her Bugatti like she belonged there.

"You know, most people text before showing up unannounced," Danielle said, arching a brow.

Maya smirked, tilting her head. "I did text. You just took too long to respond, so I figured I'd speed up the process."

Danielle exhaled, shaking her head with a small smile. "And what exactly brings you here, Hart?"

Maya shrugged. "I was bored."

Danielle gave her a look.

Maya sighed, rolling her eyes. "Okay, maybe I wanted to check if you got home safe."

Danielle blinked, thrown off by the casual admission. She wasn't used to people checking in on her—Izzy did, of course, but that was different. It wasn't often that someone outside her family cared about where she was.

"Thought us texting already covered that," Danielle said, trying to keep her tone light.

Maya huffed. "Yeah, well, I don't trust you to tell the truth. Like, for example, did you get any sleep?"

Danielle smirked. "What's it to you?"

Maya narrowed her eyes playfully. "So you didn't, then."

Danielle didn't answer, which was answer enough. However, what was a little white lie if she was intrigued to find out what would happen.

Maya sighed dramatically. "Alright, that's it. You're coming with me."

Danielle frowned. "Excuse me?"

Maya pushed off the car and walked up to her, grabbing her wrist and giving it a light tug. "Come on. You clearly don't rest properly when you're alone. So now you're stuck with me."

Danielle stared at her. "Maya, you can't just show up and kidnap me."

Maya smirked. "I just did."

Danielle shook her head, but something about Maya's presence made it impossible to say no. She glanced back toward the house, debating for a moment.

As if reading her mind, Maya added, "Izzy's gonna love the break from you. Trust me."

Danielle rolled her eyes but finally sighed. "Fine. But if this is some elaborate plan to drag me into one of your schemes—"

Maya grinned, already pulling her toward the car. "Oh, don't worry. You'll find out soon enough."

Danielle had no idea what she was getting herself into, but as she climbed into the passenger seat, she couldn't find it in herself to care.

"You scratch this car one bit, I'll make your death a painful accident." Danielle warned seriously, getting a laugh out of the blonde till she realised she was serious.

"Got it, ma'am."

Danielle settled into the passenger seat, side-eyeing Maya as she started the car.

"You still haven't told me where we're going," Danielle pointed out.

Maya smirked, tapping her fingers against the wheel. "You'll see."

Danielle huffed. "You know, for someone who acts like they don't care about anything, you're putting a lot of effort into whatever this is."

Maya scoffed, pretending to be offended. "Excuse you, I care about plenty of things. Like art. And food. And making sure you don't collapse from exhaustion in that ridiculous mansion of yours."

Danielle rolled her eyes but didn't argue. She watched as the city blurred past them, buildings giving way to streets she recognized only vaguely.

Eventually, Maya pulled into a small parking lot near the river. Danielle raised an eyebrow.

"The park?"

Maya grinned, shutting off the engine. "Not just any park. The best place in the city to waste time and avoid responsibilities."

Danielle gave her a look. "Do you have a plaque for that title?"

Maya shrugged. "Not officially. But I've spent enough time here to be considered a local."

Danielle sighed but followed as Maya climbed out of the car. The afternoon air was crisp, but not unpleasant. The park wasn't crowded, just a few people scattered across the open grass and benches.

Maya led her toward a small hill that overlooked the water, flopping down dramatically. Danielle hesitated before sitting beside her, stretching her legs out.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The quiet wasn't awkward, though. It was easy—something Danielle wasn't used to with most people.

Maya broke the silence first. "You think too much."

Danielle turned her head slightly. "What?"

Maya kept her gaze on the water. "You. You overthink everything. Even right now, I can practically hear your brain working."

Danielle frowned. "And what exactly am I overthinking?"

Maya smirked. "Whether or not you should be here. Whether or not you're allowed to just sit and do nothing for a while."

Danielle exhaled, looking away.

Maya nudged her with her shoulder. "You are, by the way. Allowed, I mean."

Danielle hesitated before glancing back at her. "Yeah?"

Maya grinned. "Yeah. So stop thinking and just enjoy it."

Danielle wasn't sure how to do that. But with Maya sitting next to her, smiling like this was the easiest thing in the world, she figured she could at least try.

Danielle leaned back on her hands, letting the cool breeze wash over her. She wasn't sure if she felt more relaxed or more on edge, sitting here with Maya, doing nothing.

But there was one thing nagging at her.

"I do have a question," Danielle said, turning her head slightly to look at Maya.

Maya, who had been aimlessly fiddling with a blade of grass, raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what's that?"

Danielle tilted her head. "How did you find out where I live?"

Maya smirked, clearly enjoying the suspicion in Danielle's tone. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Danielle rolled her eyes. "Yeah, that's why I asked."

Maya hummed, stretching her legs out. "I have my ways."

"That's not an answer."

Maya turned to face her fully, an amused glint in her eyes. "Alright, fine. If you must know, I asked around."

Danielle narrowed her eyes. "Asked who?"

"Lilianna."

Danielle groaned, throwing her head back. "Of course. I should've known."

Maya chuckled. "What? You thought I was some kind of detective? Stalking you, maybe?"

Danielle gave her a pointed look. "I wouldn't put it past you."

Maya grinned. "Flattered, really."

Danielle huffed, shaking her head. "I swear, you're impossible."

"And yet," Maya said, nudging her foot against Danielle's, "here you are, sitting in the park with me instead of doing whatever rich people do on a Saturday."

Danielle smirked. "You mean staring out my window dramatically?"

"Exactly."

For some reason, that made Danielle laugh.

---

A/N

Holy shit.

One thousand views. Over a hundred votes.

Thank youuu!!!!<3