Jamison stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gesturing outside. “See that building over there? That’s the inpatient ward—that’s where I work. It’s close to the hospital, so I don’t waste time commuting.”

Ivy couldn’t help but smile. “You really are devoted to your job.”

Jamison shared his apartment with two cats—one jet black, the other snowy white—both strikingly beautiful.

Ivy had never been much of an animal person, but perhaps because she liked Jamison, she found herself drawn in rather than put off. She crouched down to play with the cats.

The cats, surprisingly perceptive, seemed to recognize the significance of Jamison bringing a woman home for the first time. They were remarkably gentle, weaving around Ivy’s legs and nuzzling her, even craning their necks up to meow at her for attention.

“They’re adorable. What are their names?”

“Blackie and Snowy,” Jamison replied.

Ivy, still crouched on the floor, looked up at him in disbelief. “Seriously? That’s what you named them? Way to get creative.”

Jamison just grinned, saying nothing as his phone began to ring.

“Take a look around, make yourself at home. I need to take this call,” he said.

“Sure, go ahead.” With the cats by her side, Ivy didn’t mind being left alone.

Jamison ducked away to answer the phone and didn’t return.

After wandering through the apartment, Ivy eventually found him in the study, hunched over his laptop and clearly engrossed in work.

“Ivy, there’s a really unusual case from out of town. I need to jump on a conference call. Feel free to read or do whatever you like. I’ll join you when I’m done,” he said quietly when she appeared at the door.

Ivy just flashed him an “ok” sign with her hand and slipped inside.

Jamison’s study was impressively spacious.

An entire wall was lined with bookshelves, packed to the brim. Ivy marveled at the collection as she scanned the shelves, pulling down a few volumes. Most of the books were medical texts, and many were in foreign languages.

He’s incredible, she thought. He can actually read these in the original. Her admiration for him deepened.

Eventually, she found a novel that piqued her interest and curled up on the sofa to read.

Blackie and Snowy had followed her in at some point, settling on the couch beside her, purring contentedly.

At some point, rain began to drum against the windows. Ivy glanced outside; it was coming down hard.

This summer, especially as fall approached, had been unusually rainy—a sign, perhaps, of something ominous.

Time slipped by quietly.

By the time Ivy finished her book and glanced up, Jamison was still at his desk, wearing a Bluetooth earpiece and speaking in a low voice, conferring with doctors in another city about a patient’s case.

He was completely focused, brow slightly furrowed, his profile striking and intent in the warm light of the study.

Ivy pressed her lips together, feeling a bit conflicted.

She knew she shouldn’t interrupt, but it was already five in the afternoon. If he didn’t take her home soon, was she supposed to spend the night here?

She trusted Jamison—he was nothing but a gentleman. But Katrina would be back tomorrow, and if Ivy didn’t come home tonight, her best friend would never let her hear the end of it.

Finally, Jamison took off his earpiece and sat up, signaling the meeting was over.

Ivy cleared her throat and spoke softly. “All done?”

Jamison turned from the screen and smiled at her. “Yeah, I’m finished. Sorry, was it too boring for you?”

Ivy set the book aside, stood, and leaned against his desk. “Not boring, just… it’s getting late. When are you planning to take me home?”