The words themselves were perfectly proper, but Katrina’s cheeks flushed bright red. She couldn’t help but recall a certain someone’s prowess in bed, and a rush of heat spread through her.

Her voice came out small and weak as she shot back, “It’s your Dr. Ludwig who’s the perfect husband. You get to enjoy him for a lifetime.”

Ivy immediately noticed the change in her expression, her brows knitting together. “What did I say to make you blush like that?”

Katrina shook her head, trying to play it off. “It’s nothing. The heating in here is just way too much.” Spinning on her heel, she walked away.

When the two of them returned to their table, Naylor instantly picked up on Katrina’s rosy cheeks and frowned in concern.

“What were you two talking about? Don’t tell me you were gossiping about me?” Naylor went straight for the joke, using humor to probe for answers.

Before Katrina could deny it, Ivy grinned and cut in, “If I didn’t think you were good enough, I never would’ve set Katrina up with you. Naylor, since when did you get so suspicious?”

Naylor pressed his lips together, at a loss for words.

Jamison chuckled quietly to himself. He’d just used the same phrase to describe his best friend a few minutes ago.

“You two really are a pair–sharing the same bed and everything.” Naylor shot a glare at his friend, grumbling in mock annoyance.

As always, Naylor was generous and ordered an impressive dinner for everyone.

Ivy, ever mindful that she was still within the high-risk period after her HIV scare, insisted everyone use separate serving utensils.

She’d meant to watch her diet, but by the end of the meal, she was so stuffed she could barely move.

Setting down her fork, she couldn’t help but let out a little burp.

“With you eating so happily, I’d say I’ve repaid my debt in full,” Naylor remarked, half-smiling as he paid the bill.

Ivy scoffed, “Mr. Wilson, you really are the consummate businessman–always keeping score.”

“Your husband might be a doctor, but he dabbles in investments. That makes him half a businessman. Better watch out, or he’ll start keeping tabs on you, too.” Naylor teased, deliberately trying to stir the pot.

Ivy glanced over at a certain someone, her almond-shaped eyes glinting with amusement. “He wouldn’t dare.”

Jamison immediately chimed in, “I wouldn’t, I wouldn’t.”

Naylor shook his head as he got up, rolling his eyes at them both. “Pathetic. You’re making the rest of us guys look bad.”

With both couples in the throes of new love, nobody lingered after dinner–everyone was eager to get home and… do other things. There was no need for drawn-out goodbyes; a quick wave, and they each went their separate ways.

Still worried about her best friend, Ivy sent Katrina a quick message on WhatsApp once she was in the car.

[If you don’t see a future, at least be careful.]

Katrina replied almost instantly with a meme–a facepalm emoji.

Ivy chuckled to herself.

Jamison glanced over. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. Let’s head home… I’ve got some work to finish up.” Ivy’s mind was already back on her job. It was only her first day, but she’d picked up a few things she wanted to jot down for her end-of-day market analysis.

As Jamison drove them back to the apartment, he couldn’t help but remark, “You really ought to go easy on Naylor. He’s got a sharp tongue, but he’s a good guy. He’d never treat Katrina badly.”

“I know. If I doubted his character, I wouldn’t have set him up with Katrina in the first place.”

“Then why do you two always butt heads?”

Ivy frowned, searching for words. “You know how people say most women can’t stand their best friend’s boyfriend? It’s not that I don’t trust Naylor, but seeing how head-over-heels Katrina is for him, and knowing he’s probably going to break her heart someday… I just can’t help wanting to give him a hard time!”

Jamison shook his head, utterly baffled. “You’re contradicting yourself. If you don’t approve of him, why set them up in the first place? I’ll never understand how women think.”

Ivy waved him off. “Forget it. Your mind’s always full of surgeries and clinical charts–you’d never get it.”

Jamison shot her a fond smile. “Not true. At least half my brain is occupied with thoughts of you.”

Ivy glared at him, speechless.

He always acted so serious in public, but behind closed doors, he was nothing but a smooth-talking flirt.

After dinner, Ivy was so full she could hardly keep her eyes open. The car was warm and quiet, and she soon found herself dozing off.

Work was tiring, and break rooms at the office would never compare to her own couch at home.

When Jamison noticed her stifling a yawn, he said gently, “If you’re tired, just sleep. We’ve still got half an hour before we’re home.”

“Mm… I’ll just close my eyes for a bit…”

By the time they pulled up to their building, Jamison didn’t wake her. Instead, he got out, opened the passenger door, and prepared to carry her inside.

But as his arms slipped around her back, Ivy startled awake, eyes flying open.

“Mm, we’re here?” Ivy looked up at his face so close to hers and pushed him away gently. “Why didn’t you wake me? I can walk.”

Jamison had been watching her sleep the whole drive, admiring how peaceful and beautiful she looked. Now, with her so close and still a little drowsy, he found it nearly impossible to resist her.

Instead of backing off, he leaned in and kissed her, his lips lingering softly against hers.

Ivy clenched her teeth, refusing to give in.

She’d told him to be careful these next few months, but he never seemed to listen. And now, right here in the parking garage, he was up to his old tricks.

“Jamison, quit it. Someone might see us…” She frowned, her protest little more than a breathy whimper.

He only grinned, whispering, “I’m kissing my own wife. So what if someone sees?"