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.

as he stepped forward and casually took her hand,

was happening, she found herself being ushered out the door,

strode forward with her in tow as if he didn’t

intertwined hands, her cheeks were flushing and her

she started to feel comfortable with Balfour’s touch? Without realizing it, their relationship seemed to have shifted

it once was.

the passenger door for her. “Hop

She was suddenly conscious of her free hand and somehow she felt

an exasperated sigh as he gently nudged her into the

to a nearby diner and ordered from

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

the 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

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 passed it to

was once again struck by the lavishness of the gesture; an entire table’s worth