The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1950

The whiskey had a kick like a mule, and just a tiny sip felt like a flame licking down Ivy’s throat.

“I’m not used to these kinds of gatherings, so I feel a bit out of my element. Giselle, just go and enjoy yourself. Don’t mind me. I’ll be fine sitting here on my own.”

Giselle offered a wry smile, “No way, if you’re a friend of Balfour, I’ve got to make sure you’re taken care of. But…”

She tilted her head slightly, leaning in close to Ivy, “Balfour’s never been much of a social butterfly, let alone with women. You’re the first lady friend he’s ever brought to a party. It sure has me curious. How did you two meet?”

How did they meet?

That was a tricky question.

Ivy frowned, at a loss for words.

couldn’t exactly spill the beans that her first encounter with Balfour had been

bachelor image out of the

and that’s it. Giselle, we’re not close or anything, just

smile unwavering, but she said nothing

ventured, reversing the question, “how do you know

I know all about him, his habits and all. You could say

stared intently at Ivy, as if trying

that revealed nothing, Ivy raised her glass and downed the whiskey, her lips

Ivy commented, keeping

“Yes, we know each other better than anyone else in

come here!” someone called from across the

stood up and walked over to join her friends, leaving Ivy alone in the corner, utterly disconnected

of place, Ivy slipped out of the private room, sensing that Balfour didn’t need her

found