Page 106 of A Perfect Fit

“Shh,” Jackson murmurs. He holds me in his arms and strokes my hair. “I’ve got you. I’m here. You’re safe.”

His words are like a soothing balm, and I feel safe with him, in his arms. Safe and sound, knowing that everything’s going to be okay. Knowing that I’m not alone.

“The dream I had felt so real,” I say.

He holds me tighter in his arms. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“I want to.”

I rest my head against his chest and tentatively glance up at him. He doesn’t say anything, but the tenderness on his face tells me he’s listening.

“I had a dream that no one turned up to my fashion show. And my parents and sister were saying that I was a failure and a disappointment. Then I tried to leave, but when I got to the door, it wouldn’t open, no matter how hard I pulled at it …” My breath starts shaking again as I recall the dream. “I know it probably all sounds stupid. I don’t even know why I’m crying.”

“It’s not stupid. And you’re not a failure or a disappointment,” Jackson firmly says. “You’re the most amazing person I know.”

“I …” I let out another sniffle. “Is it okay if you keep holding me like this and we talk for a little?”

“For as long as you need,” he softly replies.

“Okay,” I whisper.

We lie down together, my head snuggling against his chest. Jackson threads his fingers in my hair, and us cuddling like this feels so natural.

“Bella, I’ve got you,” Jackson murmurs. “And I’m not letting go.”

Another teardrop falls down my cheek, but this time, it’s not because of my nightmare. It’s because I know I’ve found my safe harbor, my shelter when it rains, my home.

And in that moment, I know with full certainty that not only have I fallen so undeniably hard for Jackson, but also there isn’t anyone I want to be with other than him.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

JACKSON

Ihold Isabelle closely, noting the way she fits perfectly in my arms.

She just woke up from a nightmare, and the only thing I want to do right now is make sure she feels safe.

“Since I was a little kid, I always loved drawing and playing dress-up,” she says. “It was back when Ivy and I were close. I’d throw a pretend fashion show, and I’d sketch random things all the time, anything that came to mind really.”

“So, that’s how the most talented person I know first discovered her passion,” I chime in.

Isabelle shifts her body and runs her fingertips along my biceps. “You’re going to distract me from my life story.”

“Sorry.” I let out a light chuckle. “Please continue.”

“In middle school, I started reading Sparkes Magazine, and I instantly fell in love with all the fashion designs I saw in the pages. Then I had my first textiles class, and it was … magical. I loved the process of creating and transforming a simple piece of fabric into something else. But I never thought of pursuing fashion design as a career. I thought sketching designs and creating could just be a fun hobby and being a lawyer was what I should aim to be because it was something my mom had always instilled in me.”

I move a strand of hair away from her face as she talks.

She blows a breath. “When it came to college applications one night, it just hit me that I didn’t want to be a lawyer, and I decided to apply to fashion school, which Jen also encouraged me to do. My mom saw me working on my portfolio for my application and tried to talk me out of it, but I kept going. We had a major argument because of that. When I got my acceptance letter, I thought she’d finally accept I was chasing my dreams and be happy for me, but I guess the rest is history.”

Her voice quiets when she says that last part, and I gently rub her arm.

“It’s a reflection on her, not you, that she can’t be happy for her own daughter.”

“I know.” Isabelle sighs. “I guess, deep down, she does care about me in her own way, but I think I’m finally done with trying to seek her validation. I’m just going to do whatever makes me happy.”

“Your happiness is the most important thing,” I say, proud of her. “Not what she or anyone else wants for you.”