The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2026

Balfour picked up his coffee mug and took a sip. “No, it didn’t go under. I stepped in and bought it out before it could.”

“Really?” Giselle’s face lit up with delight. “Does that mean we can still get it? Balfour, when can you take me on a factory tour?”

While they chatted, Ivy’s gaze never left her smartphone, her fingers flicking across the screen in silent concentration.

These stories from their shared past did not include her; she had no comments to add. Aside from scrolling through her phone, she could not think of anything else to do.

Giselle’s topic of conversation seemed designed to put distance between Ivy and the two of them.

She was making it clear that she and Balfour were childhood friends, the perfect match.

Engrossed in her phone, a notification drew Ivy’s attention-Nolan had sent her a message.

[Heard you landed a role in Colton’s new movie, congrats!]

had cast her after seeing

Ivy replied,

I owe you one. I’d never have gotten this role without that ad you

you did great. Remember me when you’re a big star, okay?]

if I can pull this off. If I bomb, it’s curtains for

you’ll be fantastic.

these were worries she did not feel

eased

had been

grasp, and after seeing the exchange between her and Nolan, his expression turned even

she preferred to message Nolan rather than share

it back,” Ivy reached out to retrieve her

“No phones at the dinner table. Let’s enjoy our

Ivy thought it rude not to respond to Nolan since he

was intimidating. “Fine, let’s eat first!”