Is this guy for real?
Ivy’s heart thudded faster in her chest.
She couldn’t let Jamison, who was sitting across from her, notice anything unusual, so she quietly composed herself.
Mrs. Smith: No, thanks, I’m having dinner with someone. It’s not convenient.
Dr. Handsome: Didn’t you just say you don’t have any friends?
Mrs. Smith: They’re not a friend. Someone did me a favor, so I’m just returning it.
Dr. Handsome: Man or woman?
Mrs. Smith: What’s it to you?
Dr. Handsome: You’re out treating someone to dinner, but you can’t stop clutching your phone. That’s kind of rude, isn’t it? I bet it’s a man, and you’re probably feeling awkward, which is why you keep chatting with me instead.
Ivy stared at the message, suddenly annoyed.
Being seen through by a stranger like that made her both embarrassed and irritated. With a huff, she locked her phone and set it down.
“By the way, I just remembered something.”
She straightened up and, without warning, addressed the man across from her, who was also absorbed in his phone. “The Windsor family’s been looking for me everywhere. Micah knows where I live. Please tell him he absolutely cannot give my address to any of the Windsors.”
Jamison looked up at her, his expression turning serious. “He’s grounded at home. For now, there’s no way he could get in touch with any of the Windsors.”
Even as Jamison spoke, Micah was sitting at another table across the restaurant, spying on
them with Emma.
Emma glared at Ivy, whose beauty had returned in full force. Jealousy twisted in her gut.
She’d thought that, even if Ivy had been lucky enough to make it back, she’d be sick, disfigured, her reputation in ruins–forced to live like a pariah, hiding in the shadows.
But not only had Ivy escaped unscathed, she seemed transformed, more radiant and beautiful than ever.
Even a man of Jamison’s stature was now involved with her.
Micah watched in disbelief.
“Since when did Uncle Jamison get so close to Ivy? They’re having dinner together… Is Uncle
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Jamison falling for her too-?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Emma scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Look at them, they’re barely talking. Uncle Jamison’s glued to his phone, and it’s always Ivy trying to make conversation. She’s obviously the one chasing him!”
She sneered, glancing at Micah with disdain. “No wonder she dumped you. Turns out, her real target is your uncle.”
Micah stared at her, shock growing on his face.
Emma arched an eyebrow. “What? You still don’t believe me? Katrina came with her at first, but left early–clearly giving Ivy a chance to be alone with your uncle. She’s trying to set them up.”
That was the last straw for Micah. He shot to his feet.
“What are you doing?” Emma tried to grab his arm, but he shook her off and stormed across the
room.
At that moment, a waiter arrived with their food, blocking Jamison and Ivy’s view.
They were still in conversation when suddenly the waiter was shoved aside, making them jump as they turned around.
Micah stood there, looking every bit the betrayed husband, eyes blazing with fury.
Ivy was stunned. “Micah? What are you doing here?”
Just moments ago, Jamison had insisted he was under house arrest, with someone keeping watch–no way he could get out.
Before she could finish, Ivy caught sight of Emma hustling over, her face tight with anger. Realization dawned. “You two followed me?”
Micah’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. He was red–faced, a mix of anger and misery in his eyes. “Ivy, is the reason you won’t get back together with me because you’ve got your eye on my uncle?”
He didn’t bother beating around the bush–just blurted it out.
“If you’re losing your mind, go see a doctor. Don’t drag me into your melodrama,” Ivy said, utterly exasperated.
Jamison fixed his nephew with a cold, intimidating stare. “How did you get out?”
Micah ignored him, firing back instead, “Uncle, do you have feelings for Ivy? You almost never eat with women, and you always ditch the blind dates Grandma sets up for you.”