The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2026

Balfour picked up his coffee mug and took a sip. “No, it didn’t go under. I stepped in and bought it out before it could.”

“Really?” Giselle’s face lit up with delight. “Does that mean we can still get it? Balfour, when can you take me on a factory tour?”

While they chatted, Ivy’s gaze never left her smartphone, her fingers flicking across the screen in silent concentration.

These stories from their shared past did not include her; she had no comments to add. Aside from scrolling through her phone, she could not think of anything else to do.

Giselle’s topic of conversation seemed designed to put distance between Ivy and the two of them.

She was making it clear that she and Balfour were childhood friends, the perfect match.

Engrossed in her phone, a notification drew Ivy’s attention-Nolan had sent her a message.

[Heard you landed a role in Colton’s new movie, congrats!]

clicked. Colton had cast her after seeing the Harris Group commercial, so Nolan must have

Ivy replied,

owe you one. I’d never have gotten this role without that ad

only because you did great. Remember me when you’re a

I can pull this off. If I

be fantastic. I believe

nerve-wracking prospect for Ivy, but these were worries she did not feel she could share

with Nolan, however, eased her mind considerably.

know was that Balfour had been eyeing

the phone from her grasp,

was anxious about the upcoming role, yet she preferred to message Nolan rather than

back,” Ivy reached out to retrieve her phone, but he dodged her hand.

“No phones

respond to Nolan since he