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!]

this, but then it clicked. Colton had cast her after seeing the Harris Group commercial,

Ivy replied,

Speaking of which, I owe you one. I’d never have

did great. Remember me when you’re a big

me, Nolan. I’m not even sure if I can pull this off. If

fantastic.

for Ivy, but these were worries she did not feel she could share with just anyone.

eased her mind considerably.

not know was that Balfour had been eyeing her with a cold gaze the

are you chatting about?” Unable to contain himself, Balfour snatched the phone from her grasp,

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

retrieve her phone, but he

set it aside. “No phones at the dinner table. Let’s enjoy our

since he