Ivy rubbed her temples and let out a weary sigh, âNolan.â
There had always been a clear-cut, platonic air between them, so why did he have to drop such flirty hints in front of Balfour?
But Ivy had called out for Nolan first, further fueling Balfourâs simmering discontent.
Struggling to keep his anger in check, he wanted Nolan to vanish from his sight, posthaste.
Nolan, catching the plea in Ivyâs call, shot her a reassuring glance, only to find her gaze fixed firmly elsewhere. He managed a bitter smile.
âAlright, I get it. You rest up, okay? Iâll drop by another time to check on youâ¦â
Sadly, Nolan was cut off mid-sentence by the sound of the hospital room door slamming shut.
After Nolan left, Balfour didnât even spare a glance at Ivy lying on the hospital bed. He continued to unpack his things, enveloped in a frosty aura that made it evident he was anything but pleased.
âDid you go home earlier? Did you water the geraniums on the windowsill? And did you bring the pajamas I always wear?â Ivy racked her brain for conversation, hoping to defuse his anger.
She had been looking forward to Balfourâs company, and now she found herself in a rather awkward predicament.
But Balfour was seething, clueless about what Nolan and Ivy might have discussed in his absence.
When did they become so chummy? And how on earth did Nolan find out Ivy was in this hospital room?
Once Ivy fell asleep, he resolved to pay a personal visit to the production set to investigate the ins and outs of the incident.
Even though Ivy couldnât recall the details, she felt as if she might have been entangled by seaweed, or perhaps it was just her own panic that prevented her from surfacing for air.
But Balfour had a gut feeling that there was more to the story.
âWhy did you take so long to come? Didnât you tell Elara youâd be back in an hour?â
Ivyâs tone held a tinge of gloom, which finally made Balfour turn around.
âYou had Nolan for company; did you really need me?â
Ivy was taken aback, âI had no idea Nolan knew I was here. I certainly didnât tell him I was at the hospital!â
âThereâs no need to explain. You seemed quite happy calling out âNolanâ over and over, didnât you?â
Ivyâs brows furrowed, sensing Balfourâs jealousy. His tone, however, made her uncomfortable, almost as if he were accusing her of secret rendezvous with Nolan.
âNolan and I are simply friends, without any sleazy undertones,â she asserted, her tone growing sharp.
Balfour, having finished unpacking, ceased his pretense of busyness to face her.
âThen how do you explain his ambiguous comments?â Balfour challenged, locking eyes with her.
âHow should I know why heâd say something like that out of the blue? I can only be responsible for my own actions, not othersâ. All I can say is, Nolan is just a guy I know well-nothing more!â
Ivy was irate, feeling like Balfour was playing a game of âdo as I say, not as I doâ. He himself was the one who had a questionable thing with that woman, Mara, and she hadnât even pressed him on it. Yet here he was, playing the victim!
Balfour snorted, âA guy friend? Seems to me heâs itching to be more than just a friend!â