The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1951

Ivy felt a twinge of embarrassment stir within her as she recalled the words Balfour had said to Nolan. She never felt worthy of Nolan before, and now, more than ever, she knew it was foolish to even entertain the notion.

“Why are you all by yourself? Where’s my cousin?” Nolan’s voice pulled her from her reverie, and Ivy looked up to see him approach with that same warm, gentlemanly smile.

Her lips curled into a faint smile as she replied, “He’s chatting with a friend. I thought I’d take a stroll.”

“His friend?” Nolan pondered for a moment. “It must be Giselle, right?”

Hearing Giselle’s name dimmed Ivy’s spirits.

Of course. Giselle and Balfour had been childhood sweethearts, and it seemed that everyone’s first thought of Balfour’s friends was her

“Have you met Giselle?” Nolan asked, coming to stand beside her. “She’s quite the celebrity now, with a legion of fans.”

I’m

into that stuff. All the other

others

too caught up in my studies, so I didn’t have much time to

had she been all these

before asking, “How did you and my

question was coming. After all, she and Balfour seemed worlds apart; anyone who looked at them would

the news of our

flickered in Nolan’s eyes as he forced a smile,

to catch up to

Balfour’s starting point was already the finish line for many. Catching up to Balfour was

even Nolan’s family, independent as

they conversed, Ivy’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the message