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 couldn’t underestimate

any double meaning in Ellinor’s words. If there was, then

Xenia apologized, Balfour was relieved to see Ellinor’s

to a chair, pulled it out like a

daughter, Ellinor didn’t refuse Balfour’s kind gesture

seat was next to Alyssa, which was usually occupied

was fuming when she saw Ellinor take her spot. She nearly lost control of

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

as Ellinor sat down, Balfour pulled out another chair and sat next to her.

a chicken wing with her fork,

so

know what you liked, so we asked the kitchen to prepare

Eat whatever you like, and anything you don’t