Chapter 33

Dr. Handsome: Let’s see how things go next week. If I’m free, I’ll join.

Ivy was watching a movie when her phone kept lighting up with WhatsApp notifications. With a sigh, she paused the film and checked the group chat.

An in-person meetup?

Her first instinct was to avoid it. After thinking for a moment, she replied: Sorry, I won’t be able to make it for health reasons. Didn’t want to be a downer. Have fun, everyone! Dinner’s on me – I’ll send a group payment later.

She did a quick mental tally – out of the six people in the chat, she was probably the wealthiest. Since she couldn’t show up, picking up the tab seemed like the least she could do.

Coach Murphy: @Mrs.Smith, still not feeling well?

Mrs. Smith: That’s right.

Dale: @Mrs.Smith, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?

Ivy chuckled at the screen and typed back: My grandson’s already in kindergarten.

A string of shocked emojis followed.

Dr. Handsome: Take the hint, Dale. If she doesn’t want to say, don’t push her.

Ivy frowned at her phone. How did he know she was lying?

Sure enough, the others were curious too.

Bob: @Dr.Handsome, how do you know Mrs. Smith isn’t telling the truth? Have you two met in person?

Dr. Handsome: Nope. Just a hunch.

Jay: Well then, Dr. Handsome, what’s your hunch? How old do you think Mrs. Smith is?

Dr. Handsome: Around thirty-five.

Ivy scoffed. So much for his legendary intuition.

Dale: @Mrs.Smith, is Dr. Handsome right?

Mrs. Smith: [thumbs up emoji] Dr. Handsome, you’re amazing. Spot on.

Her words sounded sincere, but on the other side of the screen, Jamison could sense her sarcasm.

Not thirty-five… Could she be even younger?

He was a little intrigued, but considering the whole men-and-women thing – and the fact that he wasn’t one for gossip – he let it go and went to check on his nephew instead.

The rest of the group kept chatting about random things.

Jay suggested that when they finally met up, they should take a group photo and post it, so everyone could put faces to the names.

Dale Sullivan said he’d see how things went.

Before bed, Ivy scrolled through the chat one last time. When she saw they’d be taking a group photo, her interest was piqued.

She didn’t really care what Dale or Coach Murphy looked like – but Dr. Handsome… Now, that was another story. She was curious to see if he was a real catch or just another letdown.

The next day, a torrential downpour kept Ivy at home.

In the afternoon, her realtor called to say the seller was available for a meeting the next day at noon.

Ivy agreed and transferred the funds from her stock account to her bank card just in case.

The next day was a Saturday, and Katrina was free, so she came along to keep Ivy company for the contract signing.

They arrived on time, but after a long wait, there was still no sign of the seller.

The realtor came over, phone pressed to his ear. “The seller’s a doctor – he was suddenly called back to the hospital for an emergency. He’ll be about an hour late.”

Ivy raised an eyebrow. Lately, her life seemed overrun with doctors.

Micah’s uncle was a doctor.

That stock market rookie in her chat group was a doctor.

Now, even the seller of the apartment she wanted to buy turned out to be a doctor.

“It’s fine, we’ll wait,” Katrina told the realtor, then turned to Ivy. “What’s up? You don’t seem happy about it.”

Ivy shook her head. “It’s just… feels like the world is crawling with doctors these days.”

Katrina looked confused. “What do you mean?”

Ivy glanced at her. “Remember the guy I yelled at by mistake last time?”

‘Mr. Jamison?”

‘Yeah. He’s Micah’s uncle – a doctor. Though, to be honest, I’m pretty sure he’s a quack.”

Katrina gasped. “Why would you say that?”

“Just a feeling.”

“Well, your ‘feeling‘ is way off. He’s brilliant!” Katrina’s tone was practically worshipful. “He’s led tons of medical research projects – personally funded a lot of them, too. Most of that work gets little recognition and costs a fortune, but he does it anyway. He’s not just talented – he’s kind, selfless, and completely devoted to helping others. He’s basically the perfect guy!”