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

her a hand saves her from running around begging for

her own merit, not by someone else’s doing.” Balfour thought of Ivy, his gaze darkening. “I would have helped, but she’s not one

pondered for a moment, refusing to believe

thorns over a paved road? It must be that Ivy’s acting skills had convinced Balfour of her independence, sweet-talking him into offering

had underestimated

to dwell on the topic. With a smile, she stood up and approached Balfour.

thanks, I have a meeting back at

her another glance as he stood and

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

empty palm, her

her for Ivy, embarrassing her in front of

had