The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2014

“Yes, I do have something to talk to you about, but let’s eat first.”

The prospect of paying off her debts had Ivy bursting with unspoken joy. She instinctively looped her arm through Balfour’s, tugging him toward the dining room.

Balfour glanced at his arm, now linked with hers, and felt a curious stir in his heart.

As they entered the dining room and saw the feast on the table, Balfour became more convinced that something was up. “You didn’t invite me over just to chat about something small, did you?”

“Let’s talk after dinner,” Ivy said with a playful grin, nudging him into a seat and scooping out a bowl of soup for him. “I’ve been simmering this beef stew for hours. The meat’s falling off the bones.”

Since she was not ready to spill the beans, Balfour did not press and took the bowl from her, savoring the soup.

As she said, the flavors melded together from long hours of cooking, clearly a labor of love.

to meet her gaze,

eager for someone’s approval. She was curious to know

hopeful eyes,

his approval, sitting down to join him for dinner. “Grandpa and Grandma mentioned they had an old friends reunion

he had grown accustomed to not being informed. Over time, he simply ensured

only broaching the subject once Balfour was nearly done with his meal. “Um… I got a call today. It was

set down his fork, giving her a measured look.

words, Ivy had her convictions and insisted, “I need to

her background. Since graduating, Ivy had

without experience or connections, it was suspicious for a first job to just fall into her lap. He

Group a while back? A director saw it. His name is Colton. He wants me to

lit up with excitement, and she held up three fingers, “The pay, it’s

to his

indeed produced some acclaimed works, and his reputation was