Maya had always laughed at the idea of online dating, but curiosity finally won. One quiet Friday evening, she agreed to meet Daniel, a friendly guy she’d matched with on a dating app. The restaurant he chose was cozy and softly lit, the kind of place that made first meetings feel less awkward. Maya was nervous, so she did what she always did when nervous—she ordered everything that looked tempting. Appetizers, a rich main course, dessert, and a sparkling drink to calm her nerves. Daniel smiled politely, making light conversation, but she didn’t notice the quick glance he gave the growing list of items on the table.
The dinner went smoothly enough. They talked about work, hobbies, travel dreams, and favorite movies. Maya laughed more than she expected, and Daniel listened carefully, nodding at the right moments.
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