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.”

with Giselle’s. “You think I helped her land the part?”

to the game; she needs these breaks. You lending her a hand saves her from running around begging for gigs like I had to.” Giselle’s face twisted into a bitter

not by someone else’s doing.” Balfour thought of Ivy, his

was taken aback. She pondered for a moment, refusing to believe Balfour’s words.

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

seemed she had

With a smile, she stood up and approached Balfour. “Enough about that. It’s almost lunchtime, and I’m starving. I heard there’s a new BBQ spot nearby. Balfour, let’s grab lunch together.”

meeting back at the office.”

another glance as he stood

out, trying to grasp the man, but it was too late, her

palm, her anger

had rejected her for Ivy, embarrassing her

Ivy came along, Balfour had never treated her