CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN – NIGHT OF ROMANCE

Pulling into her driveway, Kayla was greeted by a sight that stopped her breath. String lights twinkled in the trees, casting a warm glow over her front yard. Soft music spilled out from her open windows, a gentle melody laced with the promise of something more. A single red rose, still wet with morning dew, lay nestled on her windshield, a silent invitation. Her heart skipping a beat, Kayla hurried out of the car, her initial annoyance at the flat tire forgotten. This was undeniably Lance's doing, a grand gesture that both surprised and thrilled her. He had somehow managed to bypass security at her apartment building and transform her very own space into a romantic haven. Stepping inside, her suspicions were confirmed. The living room, usually a testament to her minimalist style, was now adorned with plush cushions and overflowing with scented candles. A flickering fireplace cast dancing shadows on the walls, and a chilled bottle of champagne sat on the coffee table beside two f