The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1954

Lounging on the couch, Ivy rubbed her temples – they were throbbing mercilessly. She closed her eyes, intending to take a brief respite, when suddenly, the chime of a text message pierced the silence.

Thinking it might be Balfour replying, she slowly opened her eyes and reached for her phone.

[Ivy, are you resting now?]

The message wasn’t from Balfour; it was Nolan who had sent it.

Ivy replied with a mix of feelings.

[Yeah, about to catch some z’s. Thanks for the lift home today, Nolan.]

[Don’t mention it. Let’s keep in touch often, and if you need anything, just holler.]

Ivy stared at her phone for a moment before sending back a polite emoji. Then she switched off her phone and set it aside.

old school pals. However, regardless of the motive, she wasn’t about to give him

a car pulling up diverted her attention. Ivy rose and drifted to the balcony.

enough, Balfour was

he had seen her message.

the living room, waiting for him. Who knew what she might ask him.

might slip up, Ivy considered heading downstairs. Her hand reached for the

to wait

day, entered the house looking worn

“Balfour.”

hearing the noise, stood up in the living room and called out to him, “Why are you back

at work. Grandma, why are

Alyssa caught a whiff of a woman’s perfume.

clearly not from Ivy – that kid never