Page 112 of A Perfect Fit

Man of My Dreams

You’re really going to make me work for this, aren’t you?

Me

Yep

Ifinish getting ready fifteen minutes before Jackson’s here to pick me up for our date, which feels like a record achievement.

He’s been vague about what we’re doing today, and the only thing he said was to block out the whole day and wear something comfortable. So, I opt for a casual baby-blue floral dress as my outfit, paired with a pair of white sandals.

As I place my keys inside my tote bag, my intercom rings. My heart does a little excited dance, and I buzz Jackson up.

A knock resounds on my door soon after, and I open it to see Jackson standing there, looking as gorgeous as ever in a white polo shirt and faded blue jeans. He’s also holding a bouquet of peonies—my favorite flowers.

My mouth parts slightly open in surprise.

Jackson touches the back of his neck, a smile meeting his lips. “How’d I do?”

“They’re really my favorite,” I say. “How’d you get it right?”

“I wish I had a fun answer, but digging around on your social media didn’t help, and I just went with my gut feeling in the end,” he admits.

Gosh. He’s so sweet.

Jackson’s facial expression melts into something softer when he takes me in. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I can feel my cheeks going pink under his gaze. At this rate, I may as well forego my entire blush collection. “You look handsome, too. And thank you for the flowers.”

Jackson pulls me into a kiss, and I close my eyes, savoring his soft lips against mine.

After setting the flowers in a vase, I grab my tote bag and walk downstairs with Jackson to his car, where Tony is waiting for us.

“Morning, Tony,” I say.

Tony greets me with a warm smile. “Good morning, Isabelle. It’s nice to see you with Jackson again.”

Following a thirty-minute drive, we reach our first destination, Bonnie’s Books—a cute indie bookstore in Chelsea.

I glance around excitedly like a kid at the candy store as we step inside, the smell of lavender and books floating in the air. Strings of fairy lights decorate the white walls, and I can hear the rows of color-coordinated bookshelves practically calling my name. A cream love seat is placed in the middle of the store while a fluffy pink rug graces the floor.

“How did you know this place was on my bucket list?” I ask.

“I remember you shared one of their Instagram posts a few weeks ago,” Jackson explains. “And I knew it’s somewhere I wanted to take you to.”

For Jackson to tuck that detail away … it’s really the small things that count.

“Jackson Carter, capable of being romantic and thoughtful,” I tease. “Careful, or I might start thinking you’re an imposter.”

“I’m capable of many things, Isabelle. Just you wait and see.”

“Don’t get too ahead of yourself, Jacky.” I give him a pat on the shoulder and glance around our surroundings. “We seem to be the only ones here.”

“I might’ve made a little arrangement with Bonnie,” Jackson admits, referring to the bookstore owner. “We have the store to ourselves for the next hour.”

I blink. “That’s amazing.”

He reaches for my hand, leading me to one of the bookshelves. “Come on. I have a game planned.”