She had barely finished speaking when the guy with the girl blurted out, “Ivy? Wait–are you the Ivy who used to be the star of Neo Haven University?”

Ivy blinked, caught off guard that anyone still remembered her.

Roberta glanced at her boyfriend, eyebrows knitting. “What star?”

Her boyfriend leaned in, whispering, “You transferred in, so you wouldn’t know. Back then, there was this girl in the business school named Ivy–looked like a supermodel, top of her class, basically a campus legend. Then she suddenly disappeared. I heard she took a gap year or something… Didn’t you say your new roommate transferred in? No one transfers this late. She must be coming back from her break.”

They stood there, talking about Ivy as if she wasn’t right in front of them, which left her feeling awkward. She decided to just clarify things herself. “Yeah, that’s me. I’m back to finish senior year.”

“It really is you!” the guy exclaimed, practically beaming as he stepped forward, hand outstretched. “I’m Adler, Roberta’s boyfriend. I studied accounting at Neo Haven too, but I graduated four years ago.”

Ivy wasn’t interested in small talk about strangers. She had no intention of shaking his hand, but before she could react, Jamison strode forward, his tall frame blocking her like a wall.

“Sorry, we have somewhere to be,” he said coolly, his commanding presence stopping Adler and Roberta in their tracks.

Roberta stared at Jamison, eyes wide and transfixed.

Jamison didn’t spare either of them a glance; he simply took Ivy by the wrist and led her away.

“Oh my God, he’s gorgeous!” Roberta gushed, watching him go. “And seriously stylish!”

“Are you kidding me?” Adler shot back. “You’re drooling over some random guy right in front of me!”

“Please. You just acted like a lovesick puppy the moment you saw Ivy. You even tried to shake her hand!”

Outside the dorm building, Jamison slid into the car, his expression darkening as he turned to her. “Ivy, I still don’t think you should live on campus. Forget the safety issues–your roommate’s one thing, but her boyfriend? He’s a creep.”

Ivy didn’t feel anything about the couple they’d just met, but her mind was set on staying in the dorm.

Neo Haven was too far from home; she’d have to cross the river every day, spending over two hours commuting. She’d already lost three years of her life, and every plan she’d made had been postponed. Now, she just wanted to throw herself into her studies, get ready for exams, start an internship, and finally set her future back on track.

But she wasn’t in the mood to argue, so she compromised. “Let me try living here for a while. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll find another way.”

“Ivy-”

“Jamison, I know you care about me, but if that’s true, shouldn’t you respect my choices?”

Their eyes met, and Jamison saw the determination in hers.

He knew if they kept arguing, it would only end badly. After a moment, he relented, his expression softening. “Alright. See how it goes. If you’re not comfortable, just come home.”

“Deal.”

Later, they found a restaurant near campus for dinner. Afterward, Jamison drove her back and handed her the car keys.

“How are you getting home? Taking a cab?”

He parked and turned to her, placing the keys in her hand. “Boyd’s coming to pick me up. He should be here soon.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

She accepted the keys, and as she realized they were about to part, found herself reluctant to say goodbye.

They hadn’t known each other that long, and their marriage was even newer, but in these past few months, they’d been through a lot together. Lately, they’d spent every day and night in each other’s company–falling asleep in each other’s arms, sharing every little moment. Without even realizing it, she’d gotten used to having him around.