Jamison responded with a faint smile, squeezing Ivy’s hand as they made their way to the large round table. He looked warmly at the two elders already seated, “Mr. Wilson, Ms. Penn–this is my wife, Ivy. Ivy, you already know Ms. Penn, and this gentleman is her husband, Dr. Wilson–my mentor.”
Dr. Wilson was lean and distinguished, his gentle features lit with a kindly smile. He exuded an easy warmth that put everyone at ease.
Ivy nodded and gave a small bow. “Dr. Wilson, Professor Penn, it’s wonderful to meet you both. I’m Jamison’s wife, Ivy, and I’m very glad to be here.”
Professor Penn greeted her with a bright smile. “Lovely, please, have a seat.”
Dr. Wilson studied Ivy for a moment, then turned to his favorite protégé, realization dawning. “No wonder you, a lifelong bachelor, suddenly got married out of the blue. Now it all makes sense. Ivy’s beauty is truly as legendary as they say.”
His words carried nothing but admiration for Ivy’s appearance.
Jamison smiled politely, but then spoke with sincere pride. “You’ll see, once you get to know her, that Ivy’s looks are the least of her gifts. There’s so much more to her I deeply admire.”
As he said this, he turned to his wife, and the usual cool reserve in his eyes was replaced by a gentle, almost adoring tenderness.
The Wilsons watched this exchange with obvious satisfaction.
At the same time, Professor Penn glanced sympathetically at Celeste. Being forced to witness the man she’d long cared for openly flaunt his affections for another was a fresh wound, and her discomfort was plain to see.
Celeste lowered her gaze, pressing her lips together in a quiet, wounded silence.
Naylor quickly jumped in to break the tension. “Come on, let’s all sit down and order. You two are the stars tonight. Jamison, see what your wife would like to eat.”
He slid the hefty menus across the table, his tone extra lively as he tried to lift everyone’s spirits.
Celeste sat off to the side, her presence so faint she seemed nearly invisible.
The food was ordered, the server came and went, and a hush settled over the table again. Professor Penn straightened, clearly wrestling with herself before finally turning the conversation toward Celeste.
“Jamison, the original plan was for Mr. Wilson and me to invite you and your wife out–to finally meet and to congratulate you both. But yesterday, Celeste came to talk to me about something important, and asked if I could help mediate. I thought it would be best for her to join us tonight, so we could clear the air in person.”
Jamison had understood from the moment he saw Celeste why she was here.
Now that Professor Penn had raised the issue, he responded without hesitation. “If Dr. Quinn wants to continue working at the hospital, I’m afraid I can’t agree. There are several top hospitals in the city, and with her abilities, she’ll be valued wherever she goes. There’s no need for her to stay here specifically.”
“But we’re an academic hospital, and every year our best graduates are offered permanent positions. Celeste’s skills are obvious to everyone–she’s more than qualified to stay. If you send her elsewhere, people will talk,” Professor Penn said, her concern for her student clear.
Jamison understood her position as a mentor wanting to look out for someone she valued, and he didn’t take offense at her advocacy.
But once he made a decision, he rarely changed it.
“Professor Penn, I didn’t take this lightly. Dr. Quinn broke hospital policy because of personal issues. I’ve already gone easy on her out of respect for you–kept things quiet, didn’t make it official. If I hadn’t, she’d have faced disciplinary action, which would have hurt her career far more.”