Ever since that day at the hospital–ever since he’d turned down her suggestion to meet in person–Dr. Handsome had vanished from her world.
The “Stonks Only Go Up” chat group was still lively as ever. Bob and Dale had tagged him countless times, but he’d never surfaced. It was as if he’d cut them off completely.
But today, out of nowhere, he appeared. Not only that, he’d commented on her post. Okay, so it was just a thumbs–up emoji.
Still, it counted as showing up.
Ivy felt a strange mix of emotions–part inexplicable joy, part inexplicable caution.
She had no idea how to respond.
After all, Dr. Handsome had always disagreed with her. They’d spent months butting heads, arguing over stock picks, sometimes even getting personal. So now, after days of radio silence, he reappeared and gave her a rare sign of approval?
Ivy hesitated for a while, then decided to stick to their usual banter.
“Miracle of miracles–you actually agree with me for once.”
Dr. Handsome replied almost instantly: “On this post, I do. Our views line up.”
A satisfied smirk curled Ivy’s lips. “If we disagree, odds are you’re the one who’s wrong.”
Dr. Handsome shot back: “It’s the market turning ugly, not my analysis falling short.”
Mrs. Smith chimed in: “Excuses, excuses.”
The two of them went back and forth beneath the post, their familiar sparring match in full swing.
Then, almost immediately, Ivy’s WhatsApp icon lit up.
Her heart skipped a beat. She hovered the mouse over–sure enough, it was Dr. Handsome. He’d messaged her directly.
Ivy’s breath quickened. Her mind whirred with possibilities.
What did this mean?
1/3
He’d been distant for days, obviously upset. Now, suddenly, not only did he break the silence in the group, he started a private chat? Was he no longer angry? Or maybe–like her–he’d missed their banter, felt that strange emptiness that comes when a favorite sparring partner disappears, and decided to end the silent treatment.
She couldn’t say for sure. But one thing was certain: seeing his name pop up in her messages made her genuinely happy. Maybe even a little giddy.
It was exactly like getting back together after a breakup.
She clicked his avatar and opened their chat window.
Dr. Handsome: Talking back already? You must be feeling better.
Ivy grinned, typing: To deal with you, I only need thirty percent of my strength. Even half–dead, I’d still win.
Across town, Jamison snorted at her message, the corners of his mouth quirking in amusement.
Tonight, for once, he’d left the office on time. After a workout and a quick dinner at home, Naylor had called, moaning about his disastrous losses in the market.
Jamison had replied, a little too smugly, “Funny, I made money these past two days.”
“You? Make money? During a bull run you lose your shirt, and now, with the market tanking, you’re turning a profit?” Naylor was incredulous.
Jamison’s tone was quietly triumphant. “Yeah, just followed a stock blogger. Dumb luck, maybe.”
“Which blogger? Send me the link.” Naylor was instantly curious.
But Jamison hesitated, reluctant to share. “Aren’t you supposed to be the expert? Why do you need someone else’s advice?”
After hanging up, he noticed Ivy’s new market analysis post. He read it, agreed wholeheartedly, and left a thumbs–up in the comments–his way of showing respect.
Seconds later, Ivy replied, and just like that, their playful bickering was back.
Jamison was curious about how she’d been, but after their days of “cold war,” it felt awkward to ask outright. Now that their old dynamic was back on the forum, it felt only natural to slip into her DMs.
Chapter 123
Both of them seemed to understand–they didn’t mention the past, as if none of it had happened.
Watching Ivy’s cheeky reply, Jamison chuckled and tapped his keyboard: Girls like you shouldn’t be so competitive, you know.
He didn’t even have to think twice before hitting send.
