Mara’s POV

The small Italian restaurant felt cozy, warm with the smell of garlic and tomatoes. Daniel had picked it, calling it "neutral territory" for our first official lunch.

My stomach still fluttered with a mix of nerves and a tiny spark of excitement. This was it, the meeting I’d thought about since Daniel first told me about Sienna.

She was already there when Daniel and I arrived, sitting at a table by the window, her back straight, a gentle smile on her face as she looked out. ...