Page 130 of A Perfect Fit

I nod. “Sounds good. Who are you meeting up with, by the way?”

Mom’s face tenses for a brief moment before relaxing again—so fast that I wonder if I imagined it. “Just an old friend I haven’t seen in a while. Nothing too special.”

An odd quiver flutters in my gut, but I shove it away. “I see.”

She pulls me into a hug. “Love you, honey.”

“Love you, too, Mom,” I say, hugging her back. “Enjoy the rest of your trip.”

“I will.” She brushes a strand of hair away from her face. “I’m flying back Friday evening. Maybe I could pop by your office, see you again around lunchtime on Friday?”

“I’d love that,” I say. “Just let me know what time.”

“Will do.” Mom gives me a smile and says farewell to Isabelle before leaving my apartment.

As the front door closes with a click, Isabelle and I head back to the kitchen. “That was so lovely. I loved seeing your family again,” she says.

I give her hand a squeeze. “They really like you.”

She grins. “I know.”

Mom’s face flashes in my head, and the uneasy feeling from minutes ago suddenly returns, this time settling low and deep in my ribs.

Isabelle studies me, a concerned look on her face. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I say, ignoring the perturbing sensation in my stomach.

Everything’s fine.

Chapter Thirty-Four

JACKSON

“What’s the price of happiness?” Aaron asks as we line up at The Daily Brew for our morning coffee.

My brows furrow. “What?”

“If you think about it, happiness is priceless, right?”

“Yeah …” I’m not sure where he’s going with this.

A grin spreads across Aaron’s lips. “So, which is worth more, Mr. CEO? The happiness you gained after dating Isabelle or the hundred bucks you still owe me?”

I sigh as we move farther up the line. He’s never going to let this go now that Isabelle and I are together. “It was always a one-sided bet.”

“Do you know how much blood, sweat, and tears went into being the fairy godfather for you and Isabelle?” Aaron shakes his head, looking like he’s been betrayed. “Jeez. I should at least get some compensation for my efforts.”

We reach the counter, and Isabelle’s standing behind it. On some days, I’ll still stop by The Daily Brew for coffee so I get to see her during the day.

Like today, on our one-month anniversary.

I’ve planned a dinner date for tonight at a Japanese restaurant in Midtown Manhattan and then a surprise trip to Disneyland Resort for next week. Isabelle’s been working so hard on her business and upcoming fashion show, and I’m hoping it’ll be a fun little getaway before the final push.

“What’s this about?” Isabelle asks, her gaze darting between me and Aaron.

“Jackson still owes me a hundred bucks from school,” Aaron says. “So, thank you Isabelle for making Jackson no longer single.”

Isabelle laughs. “Well, someone has to keep his big ego in check, right?”