“You don’t have a car.”
“I’ll manage just fine,” she said firmly.“I’ll call a cab.”
“Your battery just died,” he said, handing her phone back.“You can’t call a cab.”
“Perfect,” she muttered, gripping the phone.“I’ll flag one down.”
“It’s late,” Jasper pointed out.“Alone, no car, no phone—not a great plan.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“I’m sure. Just make sure you get the driver’s number first so I know where to look for your body.”
She scoffed.
“I knew doctors had a weird sense of humor, but yours is terrible.”
“That’s not humor, Nina. That’s statistics,” he said evenly.“Want to know how many women end up in the ER after rides with fake cab drivers? Or how many never get found at all?”
She tensed. Was he trying to scare her or was this some twisted version of concern?
“Thanks, but I don’t need your horror stories.”
“That’s notstories. That’s my job.”
Nina rolled her eyes.
“Oh, right. The savior doctor. Saves lives, performs surgeries,and now runs night patrols for stranded women.”
“If I wanted to control you,” he replied calmly, then inclined his head slightly,“you wouldn't see it coming.I’m just offering thesafest option—one that doesn’t end with you disappearing.”
She pressed her lips together and glanced around. The street was nearly empty. Late, quiet… and not a single cab in sight. Of course.
“You’re talking to me like I’m five years old,” she snapped.
“If you knew how the world works,” he said dryly,“you wouldn’t park next to a crosswalk.”
“It wouldn’t be a problem if they hadn’t towed it!”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Flawless logic.”
She sighed and folded her arms tighter.
“You know, Jasper, you’re a little late to start caring about me. And since when did you become so righteous? The only person I should really be afraid of is you. You want me to get into your car in the middle of the night—did you forget what happened last time?” Her voice cracked.
Silence fell between them, thick and charged. The past was impossible to ignore.
“From the outside, you look like a real couple,” a voice said lightly.“Even arguing like husband and wife.”
She startled and turned.
Nolan stood a few steps away, clearly entertained. A teasing smile played on his lips, though his gaze was sharp, observant like he was studying them.
Jasper straightened instantly. The easy looseness vanished, replaced by cold detachment.
“Haven’t you outstayed your welcome?” Jasper asked flatly.
