Naylor couldn’t hold back his curiosity any longer. “What do you all even see in Jamison?” he blurted out. “Sure, he’s got a face that could stop traffic, but he’s cold as ice, sharp-tongued to the point of poison, and he clearly has no idea how to care for anyone. Yet you’re all utterly smitten with him.”
Professor Penn shot her son a look. “And you’re perfect, are you? Flawless in every way?”
Naylor opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Celeste sat with her shoulders slumped, at a loss for words.
“Celeste, I did what I could today,” Professor Penn said, her tone gentle but resigned. “It’s clear Jamison’s made up his mind and isn’t going to change it. You’ll have to look for a position at another hospital.” She leaned over, exchanged a few quiet words with her husband, then turned back to her student. “We’ll both sign a reference letter for you. Why not try for a spot at St. Margaret’s? The benefits aren’t quite as good as here, but the opportunities are bigger and the path to promotion is wider. With your abilities, you’ll be recognized quickly and become a key member of their team. It could be a real blessing in disguise.”
Celeste wouldn’t let it go. “Ms. Penn, thank you—and please thank Mr. Wilson—but I just don’t—”
“Oh, sweetheart! Why are you so stubborn?” Professor Penn cut her off, exasperated but fond. “If something’s not meant for you, no amount of pining will change that. Look at them—Jamison and his partner—so in love, so right for each other. Why not find someone who adores you, who’ll cherish and take care of you? Isn’t that what you really want?”
Celeste fell silent.
She sat there, quiet for a long moment before finally nodding, accepting the decision. “I understand, Ms. Penn. I’ll go to the hospital tomorrow and start the application process…”
“That’s the spirit. And even if, worst case, this doesn’t work out, remember—your career matters more than romance. You can’t risk provoking Jamison and having him make a scene. It could ruin your future.”
Celeste nodded again, pain flickering in her eyes. She stood up, her voice soft. “Ms. Penn, I… I’m full. I’ll head out now. Please, you and Mr. Wilson take your time and enjoy dinner.”
Professor Penn could see she needed space and didn’t try to stop her.
“All right. Go get some rest, and pick yourself back up soon.”
As Celeste disappeared out the door, Professor Penn let out a long sigh. “Well, that was a meal to remember…”
Naylor, meanwhile, seemed entirely unaffected by the drama, eating with unbothered enthusiasm.
“Hey!” Professor Penn called to her son.
Naylor didn’t respond.
“Excuse me! I’m talking to you!” she raised her voice.
Naylor glanced up, fork halfway to his mouth. “I do have a name, you know. All this ‘hey’ and ‘excuse me’—have you forgotten what you called your own son?”
“Don’t get smart with me!” Professor Penn scolded, though there was a smile tugging at her lips. She nodded toward the door. “So, what do you think of my student?”
Naylor paused, looking at his mother warily. “Mom, what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing in particular,” she replied, feigning innocence. “I’m just saying—she’s young, smart, pretty, with a bright future ahead. Your father and I always wanted you to go into medicine, but you wouldn’t hear of it. If you married a doctor, at least we’d get that wish in a roundabout way.”
Dr. Wilson, overhearing, muttered, “There you go again, trying to play matchmaker.”
“Exactly!” Naylor chimed in, not bothering to hide his exasperation. “Even Dad thinks you’re being ridiculous. Mom, you’re not losing your mind, are you? No matter how great she is, she’s got nothing to do with me. I’m not the town recycling center for other people’s castoffs.”