The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2009

Ivy was utterly baffled by his assumption, a frown creasing her smooth forehead. She wasn’t angry, not even close.

“Wait a sec. Why do you think I’m mad?”

Balfour cocked his head, his expression one of mock confusion.

“I’m not mad, really,” Ivy said, flashing a wry smile, “I just don’t know anyone here, so I feel a bit out of place, that’s all. But mad? Nope, not me.”

But no matter what she said, Balfour had already whisked her away from the clubhouse, and there was no turning back.

“Just hop in the car.” Balfour swung open the passenger door, ushered her into the backseat, and then slid into the seat opposite hers. The designated driver was already waiting, keys in the ignition, ready to go the moment they were settled.

Ivy wanted to clear the air, but it seemed pointless now, so she chose silence over futile explanations.

driver to head back to the movie theater. Pulling Ivy along, he climbed the stairs at a time.

Balfour commanded, snapping up tickets for the movie they’d

she winced inwardly at

such a waste,” she

as if the movie was going away, and it would be online eventually. There was no need to spend more money on it, especially since it wasn’t

you watching it or not?” he growled, fixing her with a glare.

knowing better than to argue, “Of course,

bolt, and the tickets would go to waste. She

started at 11:40 p.m., and in the dark expanse of the theater, it was

quiet, the only sounds were the movie’s dialogue and their own

couldn’t focus on the film. She glanced at her phone, and

it would be midnight, and Balfour’s birthday would be over. She hadn’t known about it beforehand, but now that she did, she couldn’t