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.

he stepped forward and casually took her hand, “I’m taking you out to

Ivy could even process what was happening, she found herself being ushered out the door,

her in tow as if

down at their intertwined hands, her cheeks were

feel comfortable with Balfour’s touch? Without realizing it, their relationship seemed

it once was.

passenger door for her. “Hop

are we going?” Ivy asked. She was suddenly conscious of her

into the seat, “Where else will we go? We will get some grub.”

to a nearby diner and

served all the dishes in five minutes, “Mr. Howard,

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

place keeps a table’s regular order of mine. If I show up, they serve it; if I don’t, it’s their staff meal.” Balfour ladled some soup into a bowl and

lavishness of the gesture; an entire table’s worth of food prepped daily