The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2021

Giselle chuckled. “Ivy isn’t just my friend. She’s also a buddy to good old Balfour! I bet you picked Ivy for the role because Balfour put in a good word, right?”

With a smile still gracing her lips, Giselle sauntered to Balfour and peered down at him. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here today. would you?”

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She stared at him, hoping to catch a flicker of emotion on his usually stoic face.

But she saw nothing.

Balfour’s expression remained frosty as his gaze fixed on something distant. “If you have something to say, say it straight. I don’t like beating around the bush.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it!” Giselle deflated a bit, then found a chair to slump into. “I just feel pretty useless, that’s all.”

knows how to charm people. She barely knows you, and she’s already got you going to Colton on her

demeanor shifted, his eyes locking with Giselle’s. “You think I helped her land

game; she needs these breaks. You lending her a hand saves her from running around begging for gigs like I had to.” Giselle’s face twisted into a bitter smile, her eyes brimming with a pitiable light.

merit, not by someone else’s doing.” Balfour thought of Ivy, his gaze darkening. “I would have helped, but she’s not one

for a moment, refusing to

turn down Balfour’s help? Who would choose a path filled with thorns over a paved road? It must be that Ivy’s acting skills had convinced Balfour of her independence, sweet-talking

she had

thoughts to herself, no longer wanting to dwell on the topic. With a smile, she stood up and approached Balfour. “Enough about that. It’s almost lunchtime, and I’m starving. I heard

a meeting back at the

another glance as he

the man, but it was

palm, her anger flared.

her for Ivy, embarrassing her in front of Colton.

Balfour had never treated her this way.