The Kiss that Sparked it All

Dean jumped in, siding with his grandson, “Balfour, you’re spot on! Xenia, you scared off my savior here, aren’t you going to apologize to her?”

Xenia was a proud woman. There was no way she’d apologize to a young girl like Ellinor.

But Dean had spoken. She had to listen, right?

With all her extensive knowledge and experience, she knew she needed to suck it up sometimes to get things done. She’d wait for the right moment to deal with Ellinor.

So, Xenia forced a smile and said politely, “Ms. Mendoza, I apologize. I didn’t realize your importance earlier and was disrespectful.”

Ellinor smiled back, “It’s okay. I know it wasn’t intentional. No one told you I was the guest today.”

Xenia’s smile froze. What was this girl implying?

Was she hinting that Xenia wasn’t important enough to be informed about the guest?

tricks up her sleeve. Xenia

think there was any double meaning in Ellinor’s

Balfour was relieved to see

it out like a gentleman,

refuse Balfour’s kind gesture and naturally walked over to sit down.

Alyssa, which was usually occupied by Patricia.

saw Ellinor take her spot. She nearly lost control of her emotions and gritted her teeth.

Ellinor to sit next to Grandma. That was too much! Ellinor was an

Ellinor sat down, Balfour pulled out another chair and sat next

up a chicken wing with her fork, “Ellinor, are you

so much food, we cant

didn’t know what you liked, so we asked the kitchen to prepare a variety. Feel free to eat

Ellinor, don’t be shy! Eat whatever you like, and anything you don’t like, just