Page 46 of A Perfect Fit

“Guess he brought a date,” I say. “But it’s fine. It’s not like I didn’t consider the possibility.” I divert my attention elsewhere. I’m not going to let Oliver ruin my night. “Let’s go talk to some others.”

“Sounds good,” Jen agrees. “He can go rot in a trash can.”

After a few rounds of chatting and socializing, I think I’ve drained my social battery for the month.

“I’m ready for my bedtime already,” I say to Jen.

“Come on. We’re not even at the halfway mark yet,” Jen protests. “And besides, Jackson’s not here yet.”

I wave off the idea. “I doubt he’s coming. Have you ever seen the guy be late to anything?”

“Guess not,” she admits. “Anyway, I’m going to use the restroom.”

I nod. “I’m going to get some more food.”

We part ways, and I trek toward the food table, planning to get more of the mini hamburgers I had earlier.

“Hey, Izzy.”

I stop in my tracks, my breath hitching at Oliver’s nickname for me when we were together. But I’m not Izzy anymore, so I keep walking ahead, hoping that if I ignore him, he’ll get the hint and leave me alone.

“Izzy.”

Great.

I reluctantly spin around to face him. He hasn’t tried to approach me until now, and I have no idea why he suddenly wants to talk.

“Don’t call me that.” My voice comes out gruff.

Oliver raises a brow. “Right, I’m sorry. Isabelle then.” He sticks his hands inside his pockets and gives me a once-over. “It’s … good to see you again.”

I stare into the eyes of the first and only boyfriend I’ve ever had, not believing we’re having this conversation right now. Once upon a time, I could get lost in those ocean-blue eyes, but now all I see is nothingness as I stare at him.

“I can’t say the same about you, Oliver.” I don’t bother masking the irritation accentuating my tone.

He shakes his head. “You really haven’t changed at all.”

I scoff. Seriously? This is the first time we see each other after our breakup, and that’s all he has to say to me? It’s not like I was expecting an apology from him, let alone closure, but I refuse to listen to him talk to me like that.

“I’m not here to listen to your commentary about whether I’ve changed or not.”

“Okay, you’re right,” he says, lifting his hands in defeat. “I take back what I said.” He hesitates. “So, uh, how have things been with you?”

I hold my head high, feigning confidence. “Better than ever.” I don’t bother asking him the question back. I’m not going to pretend to care about his life, because I don’t.

Oliver opens his mouth, but right then, his date walks over to his side, her gaze darting between me and him. She gives me a polite smile and links her arm in Oliver’s. “Olly, are you going to introduce us?”

“Uh, yeah. Of course.” Oliver scratches his head, looking like he’s contemplating digging a hole and crawling inside. “Veronica, this is Isabelle.”

“Nice to meet you, Isabelle,” Veronica says. “I love your dress.”

“Thank you.” I hesitate for a moment but am ultimately unable to contain my curiosity. “So … how long have you been boyfriend and girlfriend?”

Veronica frowns. “Oh, did Olly not tell you? I’m his fiancée.”

Fiancée.

The word repeats in my head like a curse.