Jamie stepped into the parking lot, rolling his shoulders as the chill night air hit his skin. His body was heavy with exhaustion, but as soon as he unlocked his car and slid into the driver's seat, his stomach growled loudly.
He chuckled under his breath, muttering to himself. "Yeah, I should probably get something to eat."
He started the engine, fingers resting on the steering wheel, but his mind wasn't on food.
Not really.
Last night flashed through his thoughts—the dim lighting of the taco stand, the quiet hum of the city, and that unexpected moment of easy conversation with Lexie.
Jamie felt the corners of his mouth tug into a small smile, the fatigue momentarily fading.
Before he could overthink it, he pulled out his phone, hesitated for a beat, then dialed.
The line rang once. Twice.
Then, she answered.
"Hello?"
Jamie exhaled, a slight pause hanging between them.
"Hey… this is Jamie. From last night."
A beat of silence, and then a hint of amusement in her voice.
"The taco guy."
Jamie chuckled. "Yeah, I know. Creative introduction, right?"
Lexie's laugh was warm, and he could picture the small smile that probably came with it.
He leaned back against the headrest, his voice shifting slightly. "I wanted to ask… how long are you staying?"
There was a brief hesitation before she answered.
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning."
Jamie's smile faltered, his grip tightening slightly on the phone.
Tomorrow.
A strange pang hit his chest—something close to disappointment, though he wasn't entirely sure why.
For a moment, he didn't respond.
Then, shifting gears, he asked, "Have you had dinner yet?"
Lexie's voice was teasing now. "Is that an invitation?"
Jamie smirked. "If you want it to be."
A small pause.
"Sure," she said softly.
Jamie nodded to himself, already putting the car in gear. "I'll be there in half an hour."
"Okay."
Just before she hung up, Jamie heard a faint voice in the background—a woman's voice, filled with playful mischief.
"Is that the handsome gentleman from yesterday?"
Lexie groaned. "Mom, stop listening in on my conversations!"
Jamie grinned, shaking his head as the call ended.
A second later, he pulled out of the hospital parking lot, his exhaustion suddenly not so overwhelming anymore.
Tonight just got a little more interesting.
Jamie started the car, the low hum of the engine filling the quiet night. As he pulled out of the hospital parking lot, his mind drifted—not to the surgeries he performed, not to the long hours, not to the hospital at all.
Instead, he kept thinking about her smile.
Lexie.
The way she had laughed at his dry humor, the way she had looked at him—curious, intrigued, amused.
Jamie exhaled sharply, shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts. "Get it together, Knight."
But the thought lingered, settling somewhere deep in his chest.
With one hand on the wheel, he tapped the dial on his car's system, calling the only person who could keep his penthouse in order.
The call rang twice before a familiar, composed voice answered.
"James speaking."
Jamie sighed. "James, my penthouse doesn't have groceries. Can someone handle that tomorrow?"
James hummed, as if not the least bit surprised. "Ah, yes. I noticed that the fridge was practically empty the last time I checked. I assumed you were simply continuing your habit of surviving on caffeine and stubbornness."
Jamie smirked, shaking his head as he turned onto a main road. "Well, I do like consistency."
James chuckled. "Shall I have the usual delivered, or are we finally branching out into eating like a human being?"
Jamie exhaled through his nose, amused. "The usual's fine."
There was a slight pause before James asked, "Will you be having dinner at the manor this evening?"
Jamie hesitated for half a second, before answering, "No, I have a date."
Silence.
Then—James let out a low chuckle, deep and genuinely amused.
"Forgive me, sir. I must be getting old. I thought I just heard you say you had a date."
Jamie rolled his eyes, but there was a smirk tugging at his lips. "You heard right."
James let out a quiet hum of approval, clearly resisting the urge to pry for details. "Well, then. I suppose miracles do happen."
Jamie huffed a short laugh, shaking his head. "Goodnight, James."
"Goodnight, sir. Enjoy your… date."
Before James could press for details, Jamie ended the call, smirking slightly as he focused back on the road.
Half an hour.
That's all the time he had before he saw her again.
And for some reason, the thought of it made his chest feel lighter than it had all day.
------------------------------
Jamie parked outside Lexie's house, his hands resting on the steering wheel for a moment. The house was quiet, the windows lit with a warm glow.
He leaned back against the headrest, exhaling slowly before glancing into the rearview mirror.
His tie was slightly off.
With steady hands, he adjusted it, making sure it was perfectly aligned before taking a deep breath.
For someone who had just performed multiple life-saving surgeries, he shouldn't have been feeling nervous about a simple dinner.
And yet, here he was.
Jamie pushed the thought aside and stepped out of the car.
As he approached the front door, he lifted his hand to knock—
But before he could, the door swung open.
Lexie stood in the doorway, her dark eyes meeting his with amusement.
Jamie froze for a split second.
She was wearing a long, black dress—effortless, elegant, and completely unexpected.
The way it hugged her frame perfectly, the way her hair cascaded over her shoulders, the way the dim lighting from inside the house cast a soft glow on her features—
For a moment, Jamie forgot how to breathe.
Lexie tilted her head, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "You good there, taco guy?"
Jamie blinked once, snapping out of it. "Yeah—yeah, I'm good."
Lexie let out a soft laugh. "Great, because we need to leave. Right now. Before my mom sees you."
Jamie barely had time to process before Lexie grabbed his wrist, pulling him outside.
The front door shut behind them, and she paused in front of his car, finally noticing it.
She arched an eyebrow. "Did you steal this to impress me?"
Jamie snorted, shaking his head. "Seriously?"
Lexie kept a straight face. "I mean, it wouldn't be the first time a guy pulled out a ridiculous car to try and impress a girl."
Jamie laughed, genuine and unrestrained. He reached into his pocket, pulled out the keys, and handed them to her without hesitation.
"Want to drive?"
Lexie's eyes lit up, and before he could take it back, she snatched the keys out of his hand. "Hell yes."
She stepped toward the driver's side, only to pause as she glanced down at her dress.
"Okay, I did not think this through."
Jamie bit back a laugh, watching as she very ungracefully maneuvered herself into the seat, the slit of her dress sliding up slightly as she adjusted.
He shook his head as he got into the passenger seat, amusement still playing on his face.
Lexie started the engine, the low purr filling the air before she turned to him.
"Alright, Jamie. Where are we going?"
Jamie blinked, caught completely off guard.
He hadn't thought that far ahead.
"Uh…" He hesitated. "I… didn't plan that part."
Lexie's jaw dropped slightly before she let out a short laugh. "Wait—you asked me to dinner, and you don't even know where we're going?"
Jamie ran a hand through his hair, looking mildly embarrassed. "I got caught up in the moment, alright?"
Lexie rolled her eyes, shifting gears. "Unbelievable."
Jamie smirked. "I mean, we could just drive and stop at the first decent place we see?"
Lexie stared at him, speechless for a moment before shaking her head.
"Nope. I know a place."
She hit the gas, the car pulling smoothly onto the road, leaving the house—and whatever expectations they had—behind.
-----------------------------
The car rolled smoothly down the road, the hum of the engine the only sound between them for a moment.
Jamie, one arm resting on the center console, found himself glancing at Lexie more than he probably should have.
She looked…
Beautiful.
The soft glow from the streetlights flickered across her skin, highlighting the curve of her jaw, the way her dark eyes shined with mischief, and the slight curl of her lips as she focused on the road.
Jamie said softly. "You look beautiful tonight."
Lexie glanced at him sideways, her expression unreadable before she smirked.
"So… I wasn't beautiful yesterday?"
Jamie opened his mouth, paused, then shook his head, chuckling. "Nope. Not going down that hole."
Lexie smirked, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Smart man."
Jamie leaned back in his seat, shaking his head with amusement. "Alright, so where exactly are we going?"
Lexie just smiled. "Don't ruin the surprise."
Jamie huffed a short laugh, but didn't argue.
-----------------------------
After a few more turns, Lexie pulled up to a small, old-school Italian place tucked between a laundromat and a bookstore.
Jamie raised an eyebrow, taking in the weathered brick front, the dimly lit windows, and the handwritten chalkboard menu by the door.
It didn't look like much.
Lexie, however, looked absolutely thrilled.
She turned to him, eyes sparkling. "I know what you're thinking, but trust me—this place has the best lasagna in the world."
Jamie watched her for a second, noting the excitement in her face. The way she was completely certain, as if she had just revealed a universal truth.
He smirked. "You're really passionate about lasagna, huh?"
Lexie grinned, completely unapologetic. "You'll understand soon enough."
As they got out of the car, the cold air hit them instantly.
Lexie shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.
Jamie didn't think—he just acted.
He stepped closer, sliding off his coat, and draped it gently over her shoulders.
Lexie blinked up at him, surprised, before her lips curled into a soft smile.
"Chivalry isn't dead after all."
Jamie smirked. "Never was."
She held the coat tighter around her, then led the way inside.
The restaurant was small, cozy, with dim lighting, checkered tablecloths, and the faint sound of Italian music playing in the background.
Jamie approached the host stand. "Table for two, please."
The server, a grumpy-looking old man, raised an eyebrow at him.
Then, he gestured vaguely at the half-empty dining room. "There are the tables."
Lexie burst out laughing, grabbing Jamie's arm as if she couldn't hold herself up.
Jamie just stared at the man for a second, then nodded once. "Right. Good talk."
Lexie, still laughing, pulled him toward an empty table.
As Jamie took his seat, she crossed her arms, raised an eyebrow, and in a terrible imitation of his voice, said, "Table for two, please."
She then snickered, shaking her head. "Jamie, this place isn't that fancy."
Jamie chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Yeah, I'm getting that impression."
When the waiter came by, Lexie ordered immediately. "Lasagna. No question."
Jamie smirked, handing back his menu without even looking. "Same. You have great taste."
Lexie held his gaze for a moment, something unspoken passing between them.
Then, suddenly, she looked away, clearing her throat.
Jamie watched her for another beat before letting it go.
The conversation flowed easily after that.
Lexie groaned, rolling her eyes. "My mom is driving me insane. It's like she's suddenly realized that my life is her business."
Jamie smirked. "So the eavesdropping was a regular thing?"
Lexie sighed dramatically. "You have no idea. I love her, I really do, but the woman is relentless."
Jamie chuckled, nodding along. "Sounds familiar."
Lexie tilted her head. "Your family like that?"
Jamie hesitated for a second before shrugging. "Not exactly. But I get the whole 'people expecting things from you' thing."
Lexie gave him a curious glance, but didn't press.
Instead, she leaned forward. "Alright, enough about my overbearing mother. What about you? How was your day?"
Jamie exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Long."
Lexie grinned. "I gathered that much. Come on, tell me. You spent the whole day saving lives, right?"
Jamie let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Something like that."
Lexie rested her chin on her hand, watching him. "Walk me through it. I wanna visualize it."
Jamie paused mid-breath, looking at her more closely now.
"You do that too?"
Lexie blinked. "Do what?"
Jamie smirked slightly. "Picture things in your head when people talk. You like seeing the details."
Lexie tilted her head, surprised. "Yeah… I guess I do. Never thought about it like that."
Jamie nodded, then leaned back slightly. "Alright. First surgery of the day…"
And just like that, he started walking her through it.
The emergency trauma, the vascular repair, the meticulous graft placement—he described it in detail, and Lexie listened intently, her eyes locked on him the entire time.
And for the first time that day—maybe even longer—Jamie realized that someone actually cared about the details.
Someone wanted to hear it all.
Just as Jamie was describing the vascular grafting technique from earlier that day, the waiter arrived, interrupting their conversation.
Two steaming plates of lasagna were placed in front of them, the rich aroma of melted cheese, slow-cooked sauce, and fresh pasta filling the air.
Jamie inhaled deeply, letting the scent settle in his chest. "Damn. That smells… ridiculously good."
Lexie grinned, eyes twinkling. "Told you. Best lasagna in the world."
Jamie picked up his fork, taking his first bite.
The moment the layers of pasta, ricotta, and perfectly seasoned sauce hit his tongue, his eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. He chewed slowly, savoring it before setting his fork down.
"Okay. I'll admit it. This is even better than the lasagna in Italy."
Lexie's smirk widened in victory. "See? You doubted me."
But Jamie didn't respond immediately.
His fork hovered over the plate for a moment, his expression shifting slightly.
Lexie caught the change, watching him carefully.
"Wait… When did you go to Italy?"
Jamie hesitated.
Then, without really thinking, he leaned back in his chair, exhaling softly before answering.
"Winter vacation. I was thirteen."
Lexie rested her chin on her hand, intrigued. "Family trip?"
Jamie nodded, his eyes turning distant. "Yeah. It was… the last vacation we took when my mom was still alive."
Lexie's smile faltered slightly, but she didn't say anything—just watched him, waiting.
Jamie stared at his plate for a beat before continuing, his voice softer now.
"We started in Venice. My mom—she practically dragged me and my dad through every single museum in the city."**
Lexie smiled gently. "That sounds… exhausting."
Jamie let out a small chuckle. "Oh, it was. My dad—God, he almost died of boredom. But he never complained, not even once. I think he just liked seeing her happy."
Lexie studied his face, noting the way his expression had turned far away, lost in memory.
Jamie picked up his fork again but didn't take another bite.
"Then we went to Rome," he continued. "I remember walking through the Vatican. My mom was so excited—talking about every little detail of every painting, every sculpture."
His lips twitched slightly, like he was reliving the moment in his mind.
"She loved art. She loved history. And I—" he paused, shaking his head slightly. "I didn't get it then. I was thirteen. I just wanted to go to a soccer game or eat pizza. I thought she was crazy for dragging us through all of that."
Lexie's smile was soft now, her fingers tracing the rim of her water glass as she listened.
Jamie's expression dimmed slightly, his voice quieter now. "But looking back… I get it. She was making memories. She was holding onto something."
His hand rested on the table, his fingers lightly tapping against the wood.
Lexie watched him for a moment, seeing the way his jaw tensed, the way his fingers twitched absentmindedly.
And then, without overthinking it, she reached across the table and took his hand in hers.
Jamie blinked, slightly startled, but he didn't pull away.
Lexie's grip was warm, steady—not demanding, not pushing, just there.
"Sounds like she was an amazing person," Lexie said softly.
Jamie looked at their hands for a second, then up at her.
For a moment, the weight in his chest felt lighter.
And in a way he couldn't explain—this moment, sitting in a small Italian restaurant with Lexie, felt like something his mother would have loved.
Jamie offered a small, tired smile. "Yeah. She really was."
Jamie picked up his fork again, twirling a small bite of lasagna before taking another taste. The flavors were rich, warm, and comforting, but something about the conversation lingered in his mind.
Lexie, still holding onto the warmth of their last exchange, tilted her head slightly, watching him.
"What did your mother do?" she asked curiously.
Jamie swallowed, then wiped his mouth with the napkin before leaning back slightly. "She was a surgeon."
Lexie's eyebrows lifted slightly. "That explains a lot."
Jamie smirked. "Yeah?"
Lexie shrugged. "You have that… surgeon intensity. The kind that comes from being raised in it."
Jamie chuckled, shaking his head. "That obvious, huh?"
Lexie grinned before taking another bite, chewing thoughtfully. Then, after a beat, she asked, "Was that why you chose medicine?"
Jamie exhaled through his nose, considering the question. "At the beginning? Yeah."
Lexie paused mid-bite, watching him.
Jamie leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping lightly against the table. "When I was younger, I wanted to be like her. I wanted to understand what made her so passionate, why she worked so hard. So I followed the same path."
Lexie studied him, her expression softening. "But?"
Jamie let out a small, tired chuckle. "But over time… it stopped being about that. Somewhere along the way, I started loving it for myself. Not because of her."
Lexie rested her chin in her hand, listening intently.
Jamie's voice dropped slightly, more thoughtful now. "I love what I do, Lexie. I love making a difference in people's lives. The kind of difference that actually matters."
Lexie watched him for a moment, taking in the way his eyes flickered—not with ego, not with pride, but with something deeper.
Something real.
She swallowed, pushing a piece of pasta around her plate before setting her fork down.
Jamie noticed the shift immediately. "What about you?"
Lexie let out a soft exhale, looking down for a second before glancing back up at him.
"I don't know."
Jamie arched a brow. "You don't know?"
Lexie let out a quiet, awkward laugh. "I mean, I know I want to be a doctor. I know I want to be great. But sometimes, I feel like... I'm constantly trying to prove that I belong here."
Jamie didn't say anything—he just let her talk.
Lexie sighed, rolling her shoulders. "I skipped grades. I got here faster than most, but now I feel like I'm constantly catching up."
Jamie leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. "You feel like people don't take you seriously?"
Lexie exhaled sharply, twirling her fork absentmindedly. "Something like that. I mean, don't get me wrong, I worked my ass off to get here. But sometimes, I feel like I have to work twice as hard just to get people to see me as their equal."
Jamie nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "That must be frustrating."
Lexie let out a small, bitter laugh, shaking her head. "It is. I walk in, and people expect me to prove something. Like I have to constantly justify that I deserve to be here."
Jamie studied her for a long moment before speaking again.
"And what if you are great?"
Lexie blinked. "What?"
Jamie shrugged. "What if you're just as good—if not better—than the people doubting you? What if you stop trying to prove something to them and start proving it to yourself?"
Lexie was silent for a moment, staring at him.
Jamie just held her gaze, completely steady, completely sure.
Lexie swallowed, her voice softer now. "That's easier said than done."
Jamie smirked. "Most things are."
For a long moment, they just looked at each other.
Lexie's shoulders relaxed slightly, as if the weight of the conversation had settled—but in a way that didn't feel so suffocating anymore.
Then she rolled her eyes, picking up her fork again. "Okay, enough about me. We still have lasagna to eat."
Jamie chuckled, nodding as he grabbed his own fork. "Fair enough."
As they continued eating, the heaviness from earlier didn't disappear entirely—but it felt different now.
Easier.
And for the first time in a long time, Lexie felt like someone actually saw her.
Not as a prodigy.
Not as the youngest in her program.
Just… her.
-----------------------------
Jamie settled the bill before Lexie could protest, sliding his card to the waiter without even looking at the check.
Lexie crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him as they walked toward the door. "You didn't even let me pretend to offer to split it."
Jamie smirked. "Nope."
She sighed dramatically. "You're impossible."
Jamie held the door open for her, unbothered. "I've been told."
They stepped outside, the night air crisp but not unbearable. The streets were quieter now, the city slowing down.
Jamie walked to the driver's side this time, holding out his hand for the keys.
Lexie pouted slightly. "Seriously?"
Jamie raised a brow. "You stole my car once tonight. That's enough."
Lexie rolled her eyes but tossed him the keys anyway, making her way to the passenger seat.
As Jamie started driving, Lexie turned slightly toward him, resting her elbow on the door. "Okay, so… career talk. You finished med school ten years ago, right?"
Jamie nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. "That's right."
Lexie did the math quickly in her head. Her brows furrowed for a second before realization dawned.
"Wait… how old are you?"
Jamie glanced at her, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Thirty-one."
Lexie blinked, stunned for a moment. "You—you were ridiculously young in med school then."
Jamie chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "You sound surprised."
Lexie sat back in her seat, still processing. "No, it's just… that explains a lot."
Jamie glanced at her briefly, a questioning look in his eyes. "Like what?"
Lexie's lips curved into a small smile. "Like how you understood me so quickly. About feeling like you have to prove yourself."
Jamie didn't say anything right away, but his smirk softened into something quieter.
Lexie tilted her head slightly. "You were probably in the same spot, weren't you? Always the youngest, always trying to prove you deserved to be there?"
Jamie exhaled through his nose, his fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel. "Yeah. Something like that."
Lexie studied him for a second before speaking again. "Okay… so after med school. Yesterday, you said you haven't been back to New York in a long time and that you just moved to Seattle. So…" she hesitated. "Where were you?"
Jamie's grip on the wheel tightened slightly, just enough for her to notice.
For the first time since they started talking, he hesitated.
Then, finally, he answered.
"I went to the army. 2001."
Lexie's expression shifted immediately, her posture straightening.
Jamie kept his eyes on the road, his voice even. "I trained as a trauma surgeon there. I stayed until recently."
A heavy silence followed.
Jamie didn't elaborate.
Lexie didn't push.
Instead, after a moment, she reached over and took his hand, lacing her fingers with his.
Jamie's shoulders relaxed slightly, as if he hadn't realized how much tension had built up until she grounded him with that simple touch.
Lexie's voice was quiet, thoughtful. "I don't want to go back home yet."
Jamie's gaze flicked toward her briefly before returning to the road. "No?"
She shook her head, her thumb brushing lightly against his knuckles. "Do you want to just… drive around for a while?"
Jamie let out a small breath, his lips curving slightly. "Yeah. Sure."
For the next twenty minutes, they drove in comfortable silence, the city lights passing by in a blur.
Then, as they turned onto a quieter street, Jamie spoke. "My penthouse is right around the corner."
Lexie glanced at him, arching a brow. "Oh?"
Jamie smirked slightly. "And I have an old bottle of wine that's great for escaping drama."
Lexie laughed softly, shaking her head. "That so?"
Jamie shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "It's pretty legendary."
Lexie looked at him for a moment, then tilted her head in consideration.
"Alright," she finally said. "Let's see if your legendary wine lives up to the hype."
Jamie chuckled, taking the next turn. "You won't regret it."
And just like that, the night wasn't over yet.
----------------------------------------------
As Jamie pushed the door open, Lexie stepped inside—and froze.
Her eyes widened as she took in the floor-to-ceiling windows stretching across the far wall, revealing a breathtaking view of Seattle's skyline. The apartment itself was minimalist yet warm, a perfect balance between modern design and effortless luxury.
The walls were a soft slate gray, accented by sleek furniture—a deep leather couch, a glass coffee table, subtle but intentional lighting. The open layout made everything feel spacious, and in the corner of the living room, a black grand piano sat under the soft glow of a floor lamp.
Lexie blinked, stepping further inside. "Okay. Wow."
Jamie smirked slightly, setting his keys on the counter. "Something wrong?"
Lexie shook her head, turning in a slow circle as she took it all in. "No, I just… This is not what I expected."
Jamie arched a brow. "What did you expect?"
Lexie huffed out a quiet laugh. "I don't know. Something… messier? Maybe a pile of takeout containers or a TV that's way too big for the room?"
Jamie smirked. "I'm flattered you assumed I have terrible taste."
Lexie grinned, then turned toward the piano, her fingers brushing lightly over the polished surface.
"Do you play?"
Jamie hesitated for a second before shrugging. "A little."
Lexie gave him a knowing look. "You say that, but I feel like you're one of those people who 'plays a little' but could actually give a concert at any moment."
Jamie chuckled, walking past her toward the kitchen. "I'll let you decide that another time. For now—wine?"
Lexie smiled, watching him disappear behind the kitchen island. "I suppose I did agree to the legendary wine."
Jamie pulled out a bottle of deep red Barolo, inspecting the label briefly before grabbing two glasses. "I keep my promises."
Lexie wandered toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, placing her hands on the cool glass as she looked out at the city below.
"Do you ever get tired of the view?" she asked, her voice softer now.
Jamie glanced up from where he was pouring the wine, his expression unreadable for a moment. "No."
Lexie turned slightly, looking at him over her shoulder.
Jamie set the bottle down, walking toward her and handing her a glass. "But sometimes… it feels like I'm looking at it from the outside in."
Lexie studied him, something unspoken passing between them.
She didn't push.
Instead, she lifted her glass slightly. "To escaping drama?"
Jamie smirked, clinking his glass against hers. "To escaping drama."
They both took a sip, the taste rich and full-bodied, lingering on the tongue.
Lexie let out a soft hum. "Okay. I'll admit. This is really good."
Jamie chuckled, leaning against the window beside her. "Told you."
For a moment, they stood there, watching the city lights, the quiet between them comfortable.
Lexie turned to him, her voice quieter now. "Can I ask you something?"
Jamie glanced at her, raising a brow. "You already are."
Lexie rolled her eyes. "Okay, smartass. Seriously though."
Jamie sighed, swirling his wine in his glass. "Go for it."
Lexie hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Why did you stay in the army for so long?"
Jamie stilled for a second.
Then, he looked down at his wine, as if considering how much to say.
Finally, he exhaled. "Because I was needed."
Lexie studied his profile, noting the way his jaw tightened slightly, the flicker of something unreadable in his expression.
Jamie took another sip of his wine before setting the glass down. "I got good at it. Saving people. Making sure the ones under my knife had a chance to live another day."
Lexie waited, knowing there was more.
Jamie finally turned to look at her, his voice quieter now. "And maybe… I didn't know how to stop."
Lexie held his gaze, her chest tightening slightly.
She didn't pretend to understand completely.
But she understood enough.
Instead of responding with empty words, she reached out and grazed her fingers against his, a small, steady reassurance.
Jamie glanced down at her hand, then back up at her.
Jamie leaned back against the windowsill, studying Lexie as he swirled the wine in his glass.
"We've talked a lot about me," he said, tilting his head slightly. "Tell me about you."
Lexie blinked, caught off guard. "Me?"
Jamie smirked. "Yeah. You."
Lexie hesitated for a second before exhaling softly. "Okay, but fair warning—my life is not as dramatic as yours."
Jamie raised a brow. "I doubt that."
Lexie chuckled, rolling her eyes as she shifted her weight slightly, still holding onto her glass. "Alright. Let's see… I was a bright kid. Skipped third grade."
Jamie grinned. "Knew it. You have 'overachiever' written all over you."
Lexie shot him a mock-offended look before continuing. "When I turned seven, my parents threw me a surprise party. It was simple—balloons, cake, a bunch of my little friends running around the backyard. But for some reason, I always remember it as one of my best birthdays."
Jamie watched her, intrigued. "Why that one specifically?"
Lexie smiled softly, a faraway look in her eyes. "I think it was the first time I really felt… seen. Like, everyone was there just for me. And it wasn't about being 'the smart kid' or 'the kid who skipped a grade'—I was just Lexie, and I was happy."
Jamie nodded slowly, taking in her words. "That makes sense."
Lexie shook off the nostalgia, smiling. "High school was good, too. I had a great group of friends. I was… kind of popular, I guess?"
Jamie smirked. "Kind of?"
Lexie shrugged, biting her lip slightly. "I mean… okay, I was prom queen."
Jamie choked on his wine, eyes widening slightly. "You were what?"
Lexie laughed. "I knew that would get a reaction."
Jamie set his glass down, still smirking. "Let me get this straight—brilliant, skipped a grade, class valedictorian… and also prom queen?"
Lexie lifted a shoulder, grinning. "Hey, you can be smart and still know how to have fun."
Jamie huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "That is the most Lexie thing I've ever heard."
Lexie tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her expression. "And what does that mean?"
Jamie looked at her for a beat, his smirk softening into something more genuine.
"It means… you're full of surprises."
Lexie's lips parted slightly, caught off guard by the way he was looking at her.
Jamie didn't push, didn't tease. He just studied her, like he was still figuring her out.
She exhaled, smiling slightly. "So, what now? Do you judge me for my prom queen past?"
Jamie chuckled, shaking his head. "No, but I might need to see photographic proof at some point."
Lexie giggled, nudging him playfully. "We'll see about that."
They fell into comfortable silence, both sipping their wine as the city lights twinkled outside.
Then, after a moment, Lexie turned back to him. "Okay, your turn again."
Jamie raised a brow. "My turn for what?"
Lexie smirked. "You've got this ridiculously nice penthouse, a grand piano, legendary wine, and you just happen to be a trauma surgeon who spent years in the army. There's no way that's all there is to know about you."
Jamie took another sip of his wine, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, so now you're interrogating me?"
Lexie grinned, leaning in slightly. "Just making sure I keep up. You said I was full of surprises—what about you?"
Jamie smirked. "I guess you'll just have to find out."
Lexie arched a brow. "Is that a challenge?"
Jamie set his glass down, his gaze locking with hers. "Maybe."
Lexie set her empty wine glass down on the coffee table, stretching her legs slightly as she leaned back against the couch.
Her eyes flicked toward the grand piano sitting by the window, its polished surface reflecting the soft glow of the city lights.
"So..." she started, turning to Jamie with a small smirk. "You gonna play me something or what?"
Jamie, who had just taken another sip of wine, raised a brow. "What?"
Lexie gestured toward the piano. "You said you play. And I feel like you're one of those people who downplays how good they actually are."
Jamie chuckled, shaking his head. "I never said I was good. I said I play."
Lexie grinned. "Same thing."
Jamie leaned back against the couch, giving her a look. "I don't just play on command, you know."
Lexie tilted her head, her smirk widening. "Oh, come on. What's the point of having a ridiculously expensive piano if you're not gonna show off a little?"
Jamie sighed, setting his glass down. "I don't 'show off.'"
Lexie arched a brow. "I highly doubt that."
Jamie huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head again. "Persistent, aren't you?"
Lexie leaned closer, resting her chin on her palm. "Jamie, if I can convince you to let me drive your car, I can convince you to play the piano."
Jamie gave her a slow, considering look. "Is that so?"
Lexie nodded confidently. "Absolutely."
Jamie let out a deep breath before pushing himself up from the couch. "Fine."
Lexie beamed, sitting up straighter.
Jamie walked over to the piano, rolling up the sleeves of his dress shirt before settling onto the bench. He ran his fingers lightly over the keys, testing the weight of them before exhaling softly.
Lexie watched him carefully, taking in the way his entire demeanor shifted—more focused, more present.
Jamie hesitated for a moment, then placed his hands on the keys and started to play.
A low, smooth melody filled the room—rich, haunting, and effortless.
Lexie's breath hitched slightly. She had expected something simple, maybe a few hesitant notes.
Instead, Jamie played like someone who had done this a thousand times before.
His fingers moved across the keys with quiet confidence, each note flowing into the next. The music was low and steady, something classical yet deeply emotional, like it belonged to a memory he hadn't spoken about.
Lexie watched him, mesmerized.
Jamie's expression was unreadable, his focus entirely on the piano. It was as if he had momentarily forgotten she was even there—like the music was for himself, not for her.
And somehow, that made it even more beautiful.
The song ebbed and flowed, lingering in the air even as his fingers finally stilled on the last note.
Silence followed.
Lexie exhaled, shaking her head. "Yeah, okay. You definitely downplayed how good you are."
Jamie smirked, resting his hands on the keys. "Told you. I just play."
Lexie scoffed. "No, Jamie. That was… That was ridiculous."
Jamie chuckled, leaning slightly against the piano. "Glad you approve."
Lexie stood up, walking toward him, still shaking her head in disbelief.
"I cannot believe you tried to brush that off like it was nothing."
Jamie glanced up at her, his smirk softening into something more playful. "What, you expecting a concert next?"
Lexie grinned. "Oh, absolutely."
Jamie laughed, shaking his head before turning back to the piano. "I walked into that one."
Lexie leaned against the side of the piano, studying him. "So… where'd you learn?"
Jamie's fingers lightly tapped the keys as he thought. "My mother."
Lexie's expression softened. "Really?"
Jamie nodded. "She used to play at the end of long shifts. Said it helped clear her head. When I was little, I'd sit next to her and watch."
Lexie smiled, picturing it. "And she taught you?"
Jamie exhaled. "Not at first. I think she assumed I wouldn't care, but one day she caught me trying to figure out a song by ear, and that was it."
Lexie nudged him playfully. "So basically, you were a musical prodigy too?"
Jamie laughed, shaking his head. "Hardly. But I liked it."
Lexie tapped her fingers against the piano lid. "You still play often?"
Jamie hesitated before answering. "Not as much as I used to."
Lexie tilted her head. "Why not?"
Jamie looked at her for a moment, then shrugged. "Life happened."
Lexie didn't push.
Instead, she reached out and lightly pressed a single key, the soft note ringing through the space.
Jamie raised a brow. "That your way of asking for another song?"
Lexie smirked. "Oh, I fully expect more piano playing in the future."
Jamie chuckled, shaking his head. "You're really not going to let this go, are you?"
Lexie grinned. "Nope."
Jamie sighed dramatically. "Fine. But next time, you're buying the wine."
Lexie laughed, nudging him again before taking another sip from her glass.
The night was slowing down now, but neither of them were in a hurry to leave.
Lexie stared at the piano keys, her fingers hovering hesitantly over them. "Alright, how hard can this be?"
Jamie, still sitting on the bench beside her, smirked. "Famous last words."
Lexie rolled her eyes before pressing down on a few keys in what was supposed to be a melody—but instead, it sounded like a cat walking across the keyboard.
She winced immediately.
Jamie, on the other hand, threw his head back in laughter. "Oh, God. No."
Lexie huffed, trying again—only for the piano to betray her once more.
Jamie covered his ears dramatically. "Lexie, please. My ears. My surgical hands depend on these ears."
Lexie gasped, feigning offense. "Are you saying I'm bad?"
Jamie grinned mischievously. "I'm saying if you ever decide to change careers, do not pick music."
Lexie shoved him playfully, but Jamie was faster—he suddenly grabbed her sides and started tickling her mercilessly.
Lexie squealed, twisting away, laughing uncontrollably. "JAMIE—STOP!"
Jamie grinned wickedly, continuing the assault. "Not until you swear never to touch my piano again!"
Lexie shrieked through laughter, flailing to escape, but her movements threw them both off balance—
And the next thing she knew—
They tumbled to the floor.
Lexie landed on top of Jamie, her hands braced against his chest, their faces inches apart.
The laughter died instantly.
Her breath was still uneven, her heart pounding, but for a completely different reason now.
Jamie stared up at her, his hands still lightly on her waist, his chest rising and falling steadily beneath her palms.
Neither of them moved.
The air between them was charged, heavier than it had been all night.
Lexie swallowed, her gaze flickering to his lips before snapping back up to his eyes.
Jamie's grip on her waist tightened slightly—before he blinked, like he'd just realized what was happening, and abruptly pulled away.
"We should—uh—sit." He sat up quickly, running a hand through his hair before getting to his feet.
Lexie nodded rapidly, still catching her breath. "Yeah. Yeah, good idea."
They both moved to the couch, trying to ignore whatever had just happened.
The tension didn't linger for long, though.
The moment they settled into the couch, the conversation picked up again effortlessly, flowing just as easily as it had at dinner.
They talked about everything and nothing—memories, stories, places they wanted to visit, things that made them laugh.
Time slipped away.
At some point, Lexie's head dipped onto Jamie's shoulder, her voice growing softer, slower.
Jamie glanced down and realized she had fallen asleep.
His lips quirked slightly, watching her for a second.
She looked so at peace, her breathing deep and steady.
Jamie brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face, his fingers lingering for just a second before he sighed quietly.
He could wake her up.
He should wake her up.
But instead, he carefully shifted, scooping her up into his arms.
Lexie stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent, but she didn't wake.
Jamie carried her into his bedroom, gently setting her down on the bed before pulling the covers over her.
For a moment, he just stood there, watching the way her face relaxed completely against the pillow.
Then, he exhaled, running a hand through his hair before lying down beside her—just for a second.
Just to make sure she was comfortable.
Just to breathe for a moment.
He'd get up. He'd sleep on the couch.
That was the plan.
But the weight of the night, the hours of surgeries, the exhaustion finally catching up to him—
And before he even realized it—
Jamie's eyes slipped shut.