“Don’t rush,” Jamison said, his voice steady and unhurried as he turned the steering wheel with graceful ease. The luxury car purred out of the parking space, and he laid out the day’s plan. “Once we’re done at the hospital, we’ll have lunch with Boyd Ludwig and Naylor. Remember you mentioned wanting to discuss the acquisition of The Windsor Group? Those two are experts–you can ask them anything you’re unsure about. And if there’s something you’d rather not handle personally, just let Boyd take care of it for you.”
He had made two calls to arrange everything earlier that morning, right after Ivy went to wash up. When it came to his wife, Jamison always made her his top priority.
Ivy turned to him, wide-eyed. “When did you manage all that? Isn’t it a bit much to trouble them?”
“Don’t worry, they’re close friends. You don’t need to stand on ceremony.” Jamison’s tone was casual, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
When they arrived at the hospital, Ivy was about to suggest waiting outside, but the air was thick and humid. Jamison couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering in the heat, so he brought her upstairs with him.
“Just wait for me in the department office. I’ll be finished in no time.”
Ivy hesitated, embarrassed. “Won’t it be awkward if your colleagues see me?”
“What’s awkward about it? Our marriage was announced to everyone–I’m not hiding anything.”
As it turned out, Ivy’s worries were not unfounded. The moment Jamison entered the corridor with her hand in his, the place erupted.
Nurses hurried from room to room, whispering excitedly: “Oh my god, Professor Ludwig brought his wife to work! She’s gorgeous–she looks like a college student!” “No wonder none of the female grad students here caught his eye. So that’s his type…”
“I saw them too–hand in hand, and Professor Ludwig was actually smiling! He can smile!”
Ivy had barely stepped into the department office when a cluster of nurses and doctors gathered around, shy but visibly thrilled to greet her–like children seeing their first circus elephant.
Even someone as poised as Ivy felt a wave of discomfort, but she greeted them with composure. “Hello, everyone.”
“Uh, good morning, ma’am.”
“Hey, don’t call her ma’am–she’s the professor’s wife. Call her Mrs. Ludwig!”
“Oh, right, sorry! Good morning, Mrs. Ludwig!”
Trying not to roll her eyes, Ivy politely introduced herself. “I’m Ivy. Please, just call me Miss Windsor.”
She had no desire to wear Jamison’s surname everywhere, as if she were someone’s property.
“No wonder Professor Ludwig is so smitten–Miss Windsor really is breathtaking.”
Jamison came out in his white coat just then, and his expression darkened. “Don’t you all have work to do?”
“N–no,” the group stammered, quickly dispersing, though a few couldn’t resist sneaking another glance.
Ivy frowned and shot Jamison a look. “I told you this was a bad idea.”
He shrugged, unbothered. “It’s fine. You showing up actually helps me–it keeps a lot of trouble at bay.” As he spoke, he reached over and playfully brushed her cheek.
She swatted his hand away, exasperated. “This is your workplace!”
“I know,” he replied, utterly unapologetic.
He was doing it on purpose, she realized, just as she caught a few colleagues peeking from behind the door. Suddenly it all clicked. “Oh, I get it. You’re using me as your shield.”
Jamison just smiled, saying nothing. “I’ll go take care of my rounds. Wait at my desk for me.”
“Alright.” Ivy sat down, watching him stride away–tall, composed, and impossibly handsome. Last night, he’d looked every bit the dashing gentleman in his suit; today, in his white coat, he was all cool authority and quiet brilliance. Each side was irresistibly charming.
It was no wonder half the hospital swooned over him. It was also no wonder he needed her, his “shield,” to play the villain.