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!]

then it clicked. Colton had cast her after seeing the Harris Group commercial, so Nolan

Ivy replied,

Speaking of which, I owe you one. I’d never have gotten this role without that ad you shot.]

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

I’m not even sure if I can pull this off. If I bomb, it’s curtains for

you’ll be fantastic. I

prospect for Ivy, but these were worries she did not feel she could

Nolan, however, eased her mind considerably.

know was that Balfour had been

her grasp, and after seeing the exchange between her and Nolan, his expression turned

Nolan rather than share with him, the person sitting right in front

reached out to retrieve her

and set it aside. “No phones at

Ivy thought it rude not to respond to Nolan since he had helped her, so she attempted to take