The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2021

Giselle chuckled. “Ivy isn’t just my friend. She’s also a buddy to good old Balfour! I bet you picked Ivy for the role because Balfour put in a good word, right?”

With a smile still gracing her lips, Giselle sauntered to Balfour and peered down at him. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here today. would you?”

She stared at him, hoping to catch a flicker of emotion on his usually stoic face.

But she saw nothing.

Balfour’s expression remained frosty as his gaze fixed on something distant. “If you have something to say, say it straight. I don’t like beating around the bush.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it!” Giselle deflated a bit, then found a chair to slump into. “I just feel pretty useless, that’s all.”

She hung her head, a self-deprecating chuckle escaping her. “Ivy sure knows how to charm people. She barely knows you, and she’s already got you going to Colton on her behalf.”

demeanor shifted, his eyes locking with Giselle’s. “You

game; she needs these breaks. You lending her a hand saves her from running around begging for gigs like I had

role on her own merit, not by someone else’s doing.” Balfour thought of Ivy, his gaze darkening. “I

She pondered for a moment, refusing to

Balfour’s help? Who would choose a path filled with thorns over a paved road? It must be that Ivy’s acting skills had convinced Balfour of her independence, sweet-talking

she had underestimated

to herself, no longer wanting to dwell on the topic. With a smile, she stood up and approached Balfour. “Enough about that.

thanks, I have a meeting back

spare her another glance as he stood and

man, but it was too late, her hand closing on thin air.

her empty palm, her

had rejected her for Ivy, embarrassing her in front

Ivy came along, Balfour had never treated her this way.