CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT – FIRST TIME IN NEW YORK

Charlotte took Kai's hand as they strolled through the winding paths of Central Park, the warm summer breeze rustling the leaves overhead. "Isn't this place amazing?" Charlotte said with a wide smile. "I used to come here all the time growing up. Had my first kiss right over there by the lake." Kai chuckled. "You'll have to show me that spot later. Though I have to admit, this whole city is a bit...overwhelming for a small-town guy like me." "Oh, you'll get used to it," Charlotte assured him. "Once you meet my parents and see my old stomping grounds, it'll start feeling like home in no time." They paused to watch a musician strumming an acoustic guitar, the melodic tunes filling the air. A pair of dancers twirled nearby, lost in their own rhythm. "This is what I love about New York," Charlotte said wistfully. "You never know what little pockets of life you'll stumble upon." Kai slipped an arm around her waist. "With you as my tour guide, I'm sure I'll fall in love with the city t