Page 47 of A Perfect Fit

Suddenly, it’s as though the air is being sucked out of my lungs. My head instinctively turns to look at Oliver, and for a fleeting moment, I swear I see a flash of guilt in his eyes, but it quickly disappears.

“Well, congratulations,” I finally say, my voice neutral and civil.

Veronica beams. “Thank you.”

“Thanks.” Oliver nods quickly, like he’s relieved. It’s almost laughable. Is he really worried I’m going to make a scene upon hearing the news that he’s getting married?

“How about you?” he then asks. “Are you seeing anyone new?”

I fiddle around with the scrunchie on my wrist, contemplating my answer. Yes, I’ve been telling myself I won’t let Oliver get to me. That I don’t need to prove anything to him. Yet when it comes to seeing him standing in front of me with his fiancée, it’s as if all the pep talk I gave myself never happened.

The truth is, a large part of me still wants to show him that I’ve moved on, too.

“I am,” I lie. “I have a new boyfriend.”

Oliver cocks a brow in suspicion. We did date for six years after all, and I know he thinks I’m bluffing. “Is he with you tonight?”

He couldn’t make it tonight.

Five words. Simple. Straightforward. Just say them, and there’s a good chance Oliver will let it go.

“He—”

The gymnasium doors swing open, and a dark-haired man walks inside, his steps confident and steady.

You know how, sometimes, in movies or TV shows, someone will walk inside a venue, and all heads in the room will suddenly turn to look at that person? The camera will zoom in on the faces of everyone staring intently at them, and it’s like everything’s happening in slow motion.

Those scenes always seem a little dramatic.

But as I watch Jackson Carter saunter inside the Summerhurst High gymnasium at exactly six fifty p.m., it’s almost as if a scene pulled straight from a movie is reenacting itself in real life. My life.

I turn my attention back to Oliver, who’s staring at Jackson with his jaw locked, and I swallow before the three words spiral out of my mouth.

I shouldn’t do this. I’m probably going to regret this. I can feel it in my flesh and bones. But in my mind, I’ve already voluntarily consumed the magic potion of absurdity, and the liquid is overtaking any remaining feelings of rationality in my body.

“He’s here now.”

Chapter Fourteen

ISABELLE

Apparently, I always have a way of finding myself in frenzied and chaotic situations.

Exhibit A: my life right now.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out this is going to be a train wreck, and the only thing saving me is a time machine.

“Jackson!” At least ten of our former classmates immediately exclaim Jackson’s name as they saunter over to him.

Suddenly, Jackson Carter’s the resident celebrity here, and everyone’s excited to see and talk to him.

“Hey, everyone.” Jackson adjusts his navy suit and flaunts a charming smile to his fans, completely oblivious to the impromptu charade I’ve just thrown him in. “It’s good to see you again. What did I miss?”

Oh, nothing much. Just a typical Friday night, where your former high school rival ropes you into playing her fake boyfriend. I’m sure it happens all the time, right?

Oliver turns to me. “You’re dating him?” His voice is loud enough that a few people turn to stare at us.

A muscle twitches in his neck, and surprise shoots through me at his reaction before I remember that he never liked Jackson back in high school.