The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1996

Ivy and Quinton had been in touch a lot lately and she’d even roped him into doing quite a few favors for her.

Ivy was well aware of Quinton’s knack for getting things done, so having him teach Clara a lesson wouldn’t have been a tall order for

him.

But Ivy wanted to handle this herself.

She was determined to give as good as she got from anyone who had wronged her, convinced that it was the only way she’d ever grow

stronger.

“I can take care of it myself. Besides, Quinton’s been a huge help to me recently. He’s your secretary, not my errand boy. I can’t keep piling work on him.” Ivy pressed her lips together, offering a faint smile.

For some reason, that smile, which revealed a hint of vulnerability, made him ache for her.

go,” Balfour said as he stepped forward and casually took her hand, “I’m taking you out to

happening, she found herself being ushered out the

in tow as if he didn’t hear

resisting. Looking down at their intertwined hands, her cheeks were flushing and her mind was

had she started to feel comfortable with Balfour’s touch? Without

it once was.

reached the car, Balfour opened the passenger door for her.

her free hand and somehow she felt unsure where to bestow

gently nudged her into the seat, “Where else will we go? We will get some

to a nearby diner and ordered from the waiter, “The usual.”

all the dishes in five minutes, “Mr. Howard, your meal

waiter had left, Ivy eyed the spread with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, “Balfour, are you sure this food was made fresh? How did everything come out so fast after we sat

If I show up, they serve it; if I don’t, it’s their staff meal.” Balfour ladled some soup

the gesture; an