The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2179

“No worries, the food’s getting cold. Let’s dig in,” Ivy said casually, though her mind seemed miles away.

She listlessly picked at the slices arrayed before her, taste buds registering little of the meal’s flavor.

Even now, Balfour was serving her slices just as he always did, meticulously picking off the olives that he knew she detested.

As Ivy watched Balfour’s slender hands at work, she couldn’t help but wonder why. Everything was just so inexplicably odd.

“Something wrong? You’re looking a bit off. Didn’t you pick this place?” he inquired, pausing mid-motion to rest the slice he’d been holding back onto his own plate.

Ivy aimlessly poked at her food with a fork. “Oh, maybe it’s the whole Giselle incident from this morning that’s put me off. I wasn’t exactly starving, to begin with. I remember raving about this restaurant, but now that we’re here, it just doesn’t seem to hit the spot.

Balfour chuckled softly, not taking her disappointment to heart, “If you’re not into it, just leave it. We can get the housekeeper to whip up something you like when we get back.”

really appeals to me,” Ivy declared, locking eyes with him earnestly.

just lowered his gaze, “Well, if you don’t feel like

tension between them thickened in an instant. Balfour’s head bowed, he absentmindedly nibbled at his food, clearly

had forgotten his suggestion for

now,

up and no longer want to know her answer or pursue anything further with

head back,” he

sat in silence,

to break, the

alone together used to be so engaging; she never worried about the lulls or felt uncomfortable. However, since the incident in that diner, all she could think about was who that girl was.

the road, back home with Alyssa and Dean around, they had to play the part

sat dazed,