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.

exactly spill the beans that her first encounter with Balfour had been

of the water, and Ivy didn’t want

crossed paths through work, and that’s it. Giselle, we’re not close or anything, just acquaintances, really.

inscrutable, her smile unwavering, but

reversing the question, “how

other since we were kids. I know all about him, his habits and all. You could say we’re

her eyes as she stared intently at Ivy, as if trying to read

glass and downed the whiskey,

and Balfour, childhood sweethearts, huh?” Ivy commented, keeping her

lowered her gaze, her smile turning suggestive, “Yes, we know

someone called from

up and walked over to join her friends, leaving Ivy alone

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

she found a quiet corner