Realizing she’d been played, Ivy huffed and tried to shut the door, but Jamison’s hand shot out, blocking it with practiced ease as he stepped inside in a single, fluid motion.

Knowing it was pointless, Ivy abandoned the door and strode away. Jamison followed her in.

“You do realize this is my bedroom,” she said pointedly, settling into a chair by the balcony.

He grinned. “Not like it’s the first time I’ve been in here.”

She said nothing, glaring at him.

Jamison walked over and stood beside her, looking down – not in an overbearing way, but with an easy confidence.

“Have you had lunch yet?”

“None of your business.”

“You really shouldn’t skip meals. How about I take you out somewhere close by?”

“No need.”

“There’s no reason to starve just because you’re mad at me.”

She scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

Leaning back with her arms crossed, Ivy shot him a sidelong glance, then abruptly changed the subject. “Didn’t you say Micah wouldn’t show up? Well, not only did he barge in, he brought Emma with him. Am I ever going to get any peace around here?”

“That was a fluke. Emma showed up at the Shepherds', insisting Micah come to the Windsors' for dinner to discuss the engagement. My eldest sister – who’s always been a soft touch – let herself get conned by the two of them.”

Ivy glared at him, still simmering with frustration.

“Don’t worry, it’s not that easy for them to get in,” Jamison reassured her. “Just a few days ago, I gave the security staff the license plates for all six Shepherd family cars and told them not to let any of them through. Micah couldn’t even get in today, so he just waited at the gate and tailed you when he saw your car leave.”

Ivy’s eyes widened in surprise. “And how exactly did you convince the security to listen to you?”

Jamison smiled. “I know the developer pretty well. A quick word was all it took.”

Ivy stared at him, suddenly connecting the dots. No wonder he owned a place in this building. Maybe the developer gave it to him as a favor – and he didn’t even want it, just kept it for a while before selling it off.

Noting the realization on her face, Jamison decided to spell it out. “When the developer was trying to get this land, they hit a snag. I helped sort it out. So when the building was finished, they set aside the penthouse for me – said I could live here or sell it off, whatever I wanted. I actually liked the place, but the commute to work was a nightmare. After two years, I finally let it go… and then you just happened to fall in love with it at first sight.”

Talk about fate. Ivy looked away, uncomfortable. “Why are you telling me all this? It’s not like I care.”

Jamison just smiled. “Fair enough. I’ll shut up.”

A brief silence fell between them. Ivy’s mood remained prickly.

Suddenly, her stomach gave a loud, unmistakable grumble. She stiffened, instinctively wrapping her arms around her midsection, mortified.

Jamison heard it clearly; his smile widened. “You’re hungry. Come on, let’s get something to eat. My treat.”

Ivy’s cheeks burned. She shot him a glare. “What, you skipped lunch too?”

“I wasn’t in the mood. Those two idiots ruined my appetite.”

Idiots. Ivy thought, he really doesn’t hold back on anyone.

“Whether you ate or not, I’ve done my part, so we’re even now,” she said coldly, drawing a clear line.

“Fine. You don’t owe me anything.”

“Then you can go.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re not eating?”

“I don’t feel like going out. I’ll throw something together here.”

Jamison had hoped to take her out, but she always did have a way of surprising him. He looked around, thoughtful, taking in the place. Ivy eyed him skeptically. “What, falling in love with the apartment all over again?”

He glanced around, clearly pleased. “You know, the more I see this place, the more I like it.”

“Regretting you sold it?”

“Not at all. Sold it for a good price.” And if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have gotten entangled with her in the first place. This apartment had played its part.

Noticing the look in his eyes, Ivy sensed there was more beneath his words. She quickly looked away, suddenly shy.

“Still not coming to eat?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No.”

Jamison studied her for a moment, then shrugged, his handsome features conceding defeat. “Alright. I’ll leave you to it.”

He turned to go, but Ivy called out, “Hey!”

He stopped. “Changed your mind?”

She ignored the question and asked instead, “That thing you said earlier – are you sure you were joking?”

He looked puzzled. “Which thing?”

She gritted her teeth, fighting back irritation. “At the restaurant – you said you were hitting on me. That you were going to pursue me!”

Jamison’s smile was enigmatic, his eyes glinting. “A beautiful woman deserves a gentleman’s attention.”

Before Ivy could press him further, he turned and sauntered out, leaving her flustered.

Downstairs, Katrina had grown anxious after so long without a sound. Worried they might be fighting, she finally worked up the nerve to head upstairs. She arrived just in time to hear Ivy’s last question – and froze in shock, wide-eyed as a startled meerkat.

Jamison emerged from the room, nearly bumping into her.

“Dr. Ludwig – you-” Katrina stammered.

“Thank you for today, Ms. Lester,” Jamison said, offering her a polite nod before heading off.

As for what he was thanking her for…