She'd only been living here for two or three days when Jamison showed up–without so much as a warning.

It was almost eight in the evening. After dinner, Ivy had returned to the library to keep studying. Her phone vibrated in the hush, so she stepped out into the hallway to answer.

“What’s up?”

Dr. Ludwig’s voice came through, “Aren’t you home yet?”

“Home? Where?”

“The faculty apartments.”

“You’re here?” Ivy was startled. “Why didn’t you tell me ahead of time?”

“If I told you, you’d just tell me not to come.” Jamison’s tone was half–accusing, half–miserable.

Ivy fell silent. He wasn’t wrong. She probably would have.

It took over an hour to drive here during rush hour, and he’d have to get up at dawn to do his rounds the next morning. Was it really worth the trouble?

After a pause, she muttered, “You came anyway.”

“I’m a married man, but I spend my days living like a bachelor. Does that seem right to you?” Dr. Ludwig grumbled, then added, “Where are you? I’ll come find you. I haven’t had dinner yet.”

“I’m at the library, but there’s no need for you to come onto campus. I’ll head back now.”

He was picky about food, and all the campus diners were just small cafés–nothing that would impress him.

But Jamison refused, “I’m too tired to go out again. I’ll just grab something near your campus.”

She couldn’t help feeling a mix of tenderness and helplessness. He was exhausted, yet still drove all this way.

Soon, Jamison’s car pulled up outside the library. Ivy slung her bag over one shoulder, laptop in hand, and headed down the steps. Jamison spotted her through the window, jumped out, and hurried over to take her things.

Chapter 706

“Carrying all this can’t be good for you. You’re still recovering, you know. Don’t treat it like it’s nothing.” Jamison couldn’t help but slip into his doctor mode, fussing over her.

Ivy gestured sideways with her chin. “There’s someone else to carry them.”

Jamison turned to see a tall man in casual clothes step forward respectfully. “Evening, Dr. Ludwig.”

That’s when Jamison remembered–she had security with her.

Boyd Ludwig, their driver, also got out of the car, grinning broadly. “Ivy, we’ll leave you two to your dinner. When you’re done, take a walk around campus–make a date of it.”

He was well aware the couple had argued recently and was eager to give them some space.

Before Ivy could reply, Jamison nodded. “Pick us up at seven in the morning.”

“Will do!”

Boyd cheerfully took the books and laptop from Jamison. “I’ll drop these at the building manager’s desk. You can grab them when you get back.”

“Thanks,” Jamison said, and then took Ivy’s hand, leading her toward the campus gates.

Ivy realized she’d never walked through campus with him like this before: it felt almost too intimate, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand away. “You don’t have to hold on to me. I’m right here, walking with you.”

“And why shouldn’t I?” Jamison countered. “Look at that couple over there.” He nodded at a pair headed their way.

The guy had his arm around the girl’s shoulders, and she was nestled against his side, the two of them practically joined at the hip.

Ivy glanced their way, speechless.

So Dr. Ludwig imitated them, draping his arm around her shoulders, tucking her securely against him.

They left the campus and found a cozy little bistro on Decadence Avenue, ordering soup for dinner.

Jamison, tall, strikingly handsome, and exuding a calm, unmistakably adult confidence, immediately drew every gaze in the room. The other diners—mostly students—couldn’t help but stare.

Chapter 706

Ivy seized the opportunity to tease him. “All those girls over there can’t take their eyes off you. If it were me, you’d be jealous already.”