CHAPTER FIFTY TWO – FRENCH LUNCH

Kayla glanced at her watch. It was almost her lunch break, and the image of Lana storming out of the office still brought a smile to her face. Lance's unexpected kiss and his defense of her competence lingered in her thoughts, making her stomach flutter in a way it hadn't in a long time. "Ready to escape this madhouse for a bit?" Lance asked, leaning against the doorway of her office. Kayla chuckled. "More than you know. Any particular place in mind?" "There's this new French bistro a couple blocks away. Heard it's supposed to be good," Lance offered. "French it is then," Kayla said, grabbing her purse. The restaurant was bustling with the midday crowd. Kayla and Lance found a cozy table tucked away in a corner, the air filled with the murmur of conversation and the clinking of silverware. The menu boasted a variety of delectable French dishes, and Kayla had a hard time deciding between the duck confit and the seared scallops. Ultimately, she settled on the scallops, while Lance o