Ivy gazed into his deep, thoughtful eyes, warmth flooding through her chest.

In an age as restless and superficial as this, even the love stories on college campuses had lost their innocence. Yet here was this man, almost thirty, yearning for simple, unadulterated love. Was he hopelessly naïve, or just a hopeless romantic?

Noticing her staring in a daze and falling silent, Jamison grinned and reached over to brush her cheek. “What’s wrong? Still worried someone’s going to come and split us up?”

“It’s not that…” Ivy shook her head, but she didn’t brush his hand away. Then, suddenly curious, she asked, “Who was your first love? Are you two still in touch?”

The smile on Jamison’s face froze in place.

His reaction made it obvious–whatever happened with his first love, it wasn’t a happy memory.

“Uh… you don’t have to answer if it’s a sore spot. I was just asking.”

Ivy hadn’t expected a man so earnest about love to be so inexperienced, so she couldn’t help being curious.

“It’s not that I mind talking about it. I never had a first love, but… I have loved someone before.” And he’d loved deeply, more than words could say.

No first love, but he’d been in love? Ivy’s eyes widened, “So you had a crush on someone? Wait–are you telling me you’ve never really dated?”

“It wasn’t a crush.”

“Then…” Ivy could practically taste the gossip, but looking at Jamison’s expression, she didn’t have the heart to push.

Clearly, he’d been hurt before.

No wonder he’d stayed single all these years, despite his looks and background, even subject to his family’s relentless matchmaking.

Once bitten, twice shy.

Still, for a man like Jamison–wealthy, charming, from one of the old families–who could possibly have turned him down? Ivy’s curiosity only deepened.

“Forget it, I won’t dig up old wounds. You should eat–it’s getting late,” she said, hesitating before changing the subject.

Jamison glanced at the wall clock. Ten o’clock.

“I just saw the news–a bunch of main roads in the city flooded tonight. No way to get through, so-” He trailed off deliberately, looking at Ivy.

When she met his gaze, realization flickered in her eyes, and he finished, “I’m not going home tonight.”

As he spoke, he looked around the room, lips quirking up. “I never spent a single night here when the place was in my name. Funny how it took changing hands for me to finally stay over. Fate has a sense of humor, huh?”

Ivy frowned and didn’t bother to hide her annoyance. “Did I say you could stay? Why do you always just decide things on your own?”

“I’m just talking it over with you, aren’t I?”

“Well, I’m saying no.”

With her roommate out of town, the idea of being alone with him overnight–just the two of them–made her uneasy. Who knew what he was thinking?

“And why not? You’re not feeling well, Ms. Lester’s away on business, and you’re here by yourself. Don’t you think it would be safer if I stayed? Besides, with the flooding, the roads really are impassable.”

Ivy’s cheeks flushed bright red. “I’m fine now, I don’t need anyone to look after me. And if you can’t get home, there are plenty of hotels in this city.”

They’d only just started dating. Sharing a house already? What would people think? A woman has to have boundaries–that was her rule.

Jamison bent down, coming close to her blushing face. “You’ve got a spare room, so why would I book a hotel? Or… are you worried I’ll want to share your bed again, like earlier?”

Ivy fell silent. That had been exactly her worry.

Seeing her speechless, Jamison’s grin only widened. “You’re still recovering–why would I make things harder for myself?”

“Watch what you’re saying!” Ivy spluttered, her face flaming. Her embarrassment quickly turned to indignation. “So you mean, if I wasn’t recovering, you would-”

“I would what?”

“Jamison!” Ivy was mortified and furious, her bright eyes flashing like an angry kitten. “If you keep this up, I’ll throw you out.”

“Tsk tsk, I nurse you back to health and feed you, and now you’re ready to kick me to the curb.”

Ivy ignored him, just as her phone chimed–Katrina was video calling. Not wanting her roommate to know Jamison was here, Ivy hurried upstairs with her phone.

Katrina checked in, complained about how miserable her business trip was, and described all the bizarre people she’d met. At the end, she added, “Oh, I won’t be back till next week.”

“Ivy, make sure you’re eating properly, okay? If you get stuck, just go out for dinner with Dr. Ludwig–don’t go starving yourself.”

“I know, I’ll take care of myself,” Ivy replied, feeling genuinely warmed by her friend’s concern.

Just as the call was about to end, Katrina suddenly remembered, “Oh! By the way, I saw on social media that Neo Haven’s been hit by a huge storm the last two days. Lots of flooding–be careful if you go out.”

Ivy froze, recalling what Jamison had said earlier.

After hanging up, she searched the news online. Sure enough, stories about the torrential rain and flooding in Neo Haven were everywhere.

Cars stranded, rescue workers out in force.

One photo showed a family sitting on top of their car, floodwaters up to the hood.

Gripping her phone, Ivy hurried downstairs, scanning the living room for Jamison.

He was nowhere in sight. Had he left already?

Just then, she heard the front door unlocking.

She rushed over, looking toward the entryway, the question tumbling out before she could stop herself: “Are you leaving?”

Her voice was urgent–so urgent, she didn’t even realize it herself.