The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1996

Ivy and Quinton had been in touch a lot lately and she’d even roped him into doing quite a few favors for her.

Ivy was well aware of Quinton’s knack for getting things done, so having him teach Clara a lesson wouldn’t have been a tall order for

him.

But Ivy wanted to handle this herself.

She was determined to give as good as she got from anyone who had wronged her, convinced that it was the only way she’d ever grow

stronger.

“I can take care of it myself. Besides, Quinton’s been a huge help to me recently. He’s your secretary, not my errand boy. I can’t keep piling work on him.” Ivy pressed her lips together, offering a faint smile.

For some reason, that smile, which revealed a hint of vulnerability, made him ache for her.

Balfour said as he stepped forward and casually took her hand, “I’m taking you out to

she found herself being ushered out

with her in tow as if he didn’t hear her at all.

her cheeks were flushing

she started to feel comfortable with Balfour’s touch? Without

it once was.

car, Balfour opened the passenger door for her.

was suddenly conscious of her free hand and somehow she felt

out an exasperated sigh as he gently nudged her into the

nearby diner and ordered from the

who understood his meaning immediately, served all the dishes in five minutes, “Mr. Howard, your meal is

the spread with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, “Balfour, are you sure this food was made fresh? How did everything come out so fast

table’s regular order of mine. If I show up, they serve it; if I don’t, it’s their staff meal.”

the gesture; an entire table’s worth of food prepped

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