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

was happening, she found herself being

in tow as if he didn’t hear her at

hands, her cheeks were flushing

to feel comfortable with Balfour’s touch? Without

it once was.

opened the passenger

asked. She was suddenly conscious of her free hand and somehow she felt unsure where to

exasperated sigh as he gently nudged her into the seat,

a nearby diner and ordered from the

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

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

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

once again struck by the lavishness of the gesture; an entire table’s worth of food prepped daily was no