The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1950

The whiskey had a kick like a mule, and just a tiny sip felt like a flame licking down Ivy’s throat.

“I’m not used to these kinds of gatherings, so I feel a bit out of my element. Giselle, just go and enjoy yourself. Don’t mind me. I’ll be fine sitting here on my own.”

Giselle offered a wry smile, “No way, if you’re a friend of Balfour, I’ve got to make sure you’re taken care of. But…”

She tilted her head slightly, leaning in close to Ivy, “Balfour’s never been much of a social butterfly, let alone with women. You’re the first lady friend he’s ever brought to a party. It sure has me curious. How did you two meet?”

How did they meet?

That was a tricky question.

Ivy frowned, at a loss for words.

She couldn’t exactly spill the beans that her first encounter with Balfour had been in a hotel bed, could she?

maintained bachelor image out of the water, and Ivy didn’t want to tick him off.

through work, and that’s it. Giselle, we’re not

expression was inscrutable, her smile unwavering, but she said nothing

Ivy ventured, reversing the question, “how

were kids. I know all about

didn’t reach her eyes as she stared intently at Ivy, as if trying

a long look that revealed nothing, Ivy raised her glass and downed the whiskey, her lips curving into a

childhood sweethearts, huh?” Ivy commented, keeping

suggestive, “Yes, we know each other better than anyone else in the

someone called from

a meaningful pat on Ivy’s shoulder, Giselle stood up and walked over to join her friends, leaving Ivy alone in the corner, utterly disconnected from

Ivy slipped out of the private room, sensing that Balfour didn’t need her there.

found a quiet corner