Chapter 707

“Jamison was speechless too. I’m not that over the top, you know.”

If he got jealous of every random stranger, he’d die of it.

“Ha, you just don’t realize it.”

They ordered their food, and the owner brought it over in no time. The weather was getting colder, and a bowl of hot soup warmed them right up. Ivy remembered running into Roberta earlier that day and brought it up casually.

Jamison took a sip of soup and nodded. “You did the right thing. Once you give someone that money, you can’t take it back, or you’re still indebted to them. If she really refuses, just donate it to charity—it’s a good way to let it go.”

“Exactly. I hate owing people favors.”

A lot of times, favors were more troublesome than money.

“She said her ex is still bothering you? You never mentioned that before.” Jamison glanced at her.

“It was just that one time we bumped into each other on the street. Nothing since. I’ve got a bodyguard, remember? You can relax.”

“Good.” Jamison’s expression softened. “MMA’s case is over, but I’m honestly surprised you’re still letting the bodyguard stick around.”

He knew Ivy—independent, strong-willed, never one for being “watched” all the time. Besides, having a male bodyguard shadow you around campus was bound to attract odd looks. He’d even considered arranging protection behind her back if she refused outright, but to his surprise, she’d agreed to it without fuss.

Ivy caught his meaning, toying with her spoon as she spoke with a hint of mischief. “I know you worry about me. Why start another fight over it? Anyway, I’m under your nose every day lately. You’re not worried I’ll run off with someone else, are you?”

Jamison stopped mid-sip, frowning as he set his spoon down.

“Ivy, it’s not that I don’t trust you.” Realizing she’d misunderstood, he hurried to explain. “Sure, we got married on a whim, but I know you. You’ve got standards, you’re sharp. Men are just background noise to you—never enough to slow you down.”

“Well, aren’t you perceptive.” Ivy flashed him a teasing smile. “Since you’re so understanding, when I start my internship next week, I don’t need a bodyguard on my heels, right? He can just drive me to and from work—what do you think?”

Jamison studied his wife for a long moment, then gave a helpless chuckle.

“No wonder Naylor Wilson calls you a ‘lotus-root siren.’ You’ve just laid a trap for your own husband.”

Full circle—the conversation landed right where she wanted it. If he disagreed now, he’d only be contradicting everything he’d just said.

Ivy arched a brow. “Naylor really called me that?”

“Yeah. Regretting introducing your best friend to him yet?” Jamison baited her with a grin.

But Ivy didn’t bite. She just shrugged, smiling lightly. “As long as he treats Katrina well and they’re happy together, I don’t care how he talks about me. I’m not the one dating him.”

Jamison paused, quietly amazed at how clearheaded this woman was.

Seeing him yield, Ivy pressed her point. “So it’s settled. When I start my internship, the bodyguard just drives me—no tailing me everywhere.”

“Alright. But if anything happens, call me or the driver. Don’t do anything reckless. That fall you took last time gave me nightmares for weeks—I can’t go through that again. If you’re safe, I’m safe.”

Something in those words hit Ivy unexpectedly. She waved over the waiter for the check, then shot Dr. Ludwig a playful wink. “Dinner’s on me tonight—to soothe your wounded heart.”

“Hah, if I’d known that, I would’ve ordered more.”

With their hunger satisfied, the two of them strolled hand in hand through the campus.