He arched an eyebrow. “So, what–you think I’m a good guy? You like me a little more now?”

Ivy pressed her lips together, awkward and shy, her cheeks tinged pink.

But it only lasted a moment. Then, with unexpected frankness, she admitted, “Just calling you a ‘good guy’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

He relaxed back into his seat, a lazy smile spreading across his face. “Then what would you say is more accurate?”

She thought hard, earnest. “You’re principled. You have integrity. And you’re genuinely kind.”

A spark flickered in Jamison’s weary eyes. He chuckled softly. “That’s a pretty glowing review. Seems like your feelings for me are more than just ‘a little.’”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “Can you stop harping on whether I like you or not? It’s so cliché.”

“But I want you to like me. I want you to love me.”

He reached out, gently taking her hand in his, his voice steady and sincere.

Ivy’s face flushed crimson, words caught in her throat.

Their eyes met, sunlight streaming in through the windows, illuminating the car and casting the two of them in a bright, golden glow.

Ivy swallowed, then nodded, unable to resist his earnestness. “Fine. I admit it. I like you–a lot. More than I ever thought I could.”

Slowly, she leaned over, resting lightly against his right arm, her voice soft but heartfelt. “Jamison, meeting you… it’s the greatest stroke of luck I’ve ever had.”

He lowered his head, his lips brushing her forehead as he smiled. “Aren’t you worried you’ll regret saying something like that so soon? What if I hurt you one day and you think you spoke too soon?”

She shook her head. “The future can worry about itself. Right now, I just want to feel this moment.”

And right now, his presence was like sunlight chasing away the shadows, like spring melting the last of winter’s ice, like stars igniting a pitch-dark sky. He brought hope and warmth to a life that had once felt hopeless and cold.

He was reserved, even aloof at times, yet warmth slipped from him unexpectedly.

He didn’t say much, but he was always quietly there.

He came from a world far above hers, yet he could still sense the struggles of ordinary people.

Somehow, all these contradictions made him even more endearing.

In that moment, Ivy knew–she had truly fallen in love with Jamison.

As for what came next, why worry?

Maybe the world would end tomorrow.

When you have the chance to love, love bravely, love openly.

And if you can’t anymore, at least you’ll never regret loving once.

With that clarity, Ivy hugged his arm and nestled happily against his shoulder.

Jamison seemed to sense her change of heart.

He had so many things he wanted to say, so much he wished he could do, but his body simply wouldn’t cooperate.

Ivy noticed his silence. She glanced up, concern flickering in her eyes–he looked worse by the minute.

“Jamison, are you okay…?” Panic crept into her voice; he looked as if he might faint at any second.

Jamison’s eyes slid shut, his body could no longer stay upright, and he slumped slowly against Ivy.

She sat up straight, trying to support his weight, reaching out to touch his forehead. His fever was burning even hotter now.

“Derek, drive faster! Head straight to the hospital when we get into town.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ivy turned her gaze back to the man slumped on her shoulder, his face ghostly pale, his brow furrowed in pain. Her heart twisted with worry. “Jamison, can you hear me? Please, Jamison, don’t do this–Jamison!”