The aftermath of last night’s revelry was that both of them slept right through the morning—well past the usual hour.

It was the shrill ring of a phone that finally shattered the peace in their bedroom.

Jamison groped blindly along the nightstand, barely able to crack open his eyes. He fumbled for the call and mumbled, “Hello…”

On the other end, Katrina sounded startled. “Dr. Ludwig, are you and Ivy still in bed?” Jamison frowned, squinting against the morning light. He switched the call to speaker and set the phone on the pillow next to his wife.

“Ivy, your friend’s on the line,” he muttered.

Katrina hurried to say, “Oh, never mind! Go back to sleep. I’ll call later.”

She was about to hang up, but Ivy had already stirred awake. Her eyes remained closed, voice still thick with sleep. “Katrina… is something wrong?”

“Sorry, Ivy, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Katrina apologized. “You used to get up so early when you were single—I forgot you’re sharing a bed with Dr. Ludwig now…”

She meant nothing by it, but Ivy, now fully awake, shot a glare in Jamison’s direction.

Jamison chuckled, leaning in to steal a kiss, only for Ivy to shove him away with a groan. She rolled over, taking the phone with her, her tone sharpening. “It’s fine. We should get up anyway. What’s up?”

“Oh, I just wanted to talk about dinner. I’ve arranged everything with Mr. Wilson for tonight—are you both free?”

Ivy remembered her own plans and answered cheerfully, “I’m free, but Jamison’s not. I’ll go on my own—don’t worry about him.”

Dr. Ludwig, suddenly left out, blinked awake. “But I’m avail—oof!”

He barely got a word out before Ivy’s elbow jabbed him square in the ribs, where he was still sore. He let out a muffled grunt.

Katrina hesitated. “Oh? Dr. Ludwig can’t make it? Maybe we should reschedule—”

“No need. He won’t miss one meal.”

“All right, I’ll text you the restaurant address in a bit.”

“Sounds good.”

When the call ended, Ivy turned to find Jamison rubbing his chest, looking wounded.

Their eyes met, and Jamison grumbled, “Why are you leaving me out?”

“You don’t get it! I’m not going either.”

“You’re not?” Jamison looked confused. “But didn’t you just agree to go?”

“I’m just going to show my face, then make an excuse to leave.”

“Why?”

“No reason. I just want to.” In truth, Jamison didn’t approve of setting up Naylor and Katrina, so Ivy kept the real reason to herself.

But Jamison knew her too well.

He caught on quickly. “You’re trying to give those two some alone time, aren’t you?” Ivy didn’t deny it.

Jamison frowned. “If you don’t want to go, just say so. Why bother showing up just to slip out?”

“If I say no, Katrina will just reschedule. She’ll insist on waiting until I’m free.”

Jamison smirked. “So you’re an equal-opportunity fibber, huh?”

She conned her mother-in-law, her husband, and now her best friend.

Fair was fair.

Ivy glared, tempted to bite him. “You know nothing! I’m not lying—I’m just looking out for her happiness. Besides, remember that dinner I hosted to thank you? I invited Katrina to keep me company, and as soon as you showed up, she made up an excuse and bolted.”

Jamison remembered and couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Wow, I didn’t realize you held grudges like that.”

“Absolutely!” Ivy sat up, deliberately fierce. “So you better not cross me, or I’ll get you back sooner or later.”

Jamison grinned. “So if I offend you in this life, will you track me down in the next just to settle the score?”