Page 101 of A Perfect Fit

“Come on, Ives,” Karl says.

“Is that true, Ivy?” Jane adds.

Ivy’s cheeks turn red. “That’s … that’s not the reason we canceled our trip.”

“And the color of the sky isn’t blue,” Isabelle quips before placing a piece of sushi inside her mouth.

That’s my girl.

Ivy huffs. “Can we please talk about something else? I thought we were all here to get to know Isabelle’s boyfriend.”

Jane turns to me. “On that note, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you, Jackson.”

I cut a piece of my chicken, still irritated by Ivy’s behavior. “Sure.”

“Do you see yourself staying in New York long-term?”

“Yes,” I say. “It’s my home base, and I don’t have any plans to move.”

“And are you planning on settling down?”

I pause before turning to Isabelle. “I’m happy and ready to settle down whenever Isabelle is. There’s no one else I want to be with.”

A small smile graces Isabelle’s lips.

“That’s good to hear,” Jane says. She pauses. “Though, Jackson, I must admit, I looked you up before today. I understand you graduated top of the cohort at Oxford, and you’re the CEO at your late father’s company. I’m sure you’re also aware that you have the looks as well, and you probably have many admirers … doctors, lawyers, engineers …”

Jane studies my expression carefully, as if we were inside a courtroom and I was on the stand.

I raise a brow. “I’m not sure what this has to do with anything.”

Jane expels a breath. “Isabelle isn’t in any of those professions.”

My jaw clenches as I place my knife and fork down.

“Come on, Jane. Don’t be like that!” Karl exclaims, glancing at his wife, his eyes wide. “How could you say that?”

Jane exhales. “I have to ask, Karl, because something isn’t adding up. If Isabelle pursued a career in law, like the rest of the family, then⁠—”

“Why must Isabelle pursue a career in law simply because you and everyone else in your family did?” I interrupt, doing my best to keep my voice level. My hands ball into fists underneath the table, and it takes every single body cell within me to remain seated.

“You’re right. She didn’t have to,” Jane says. “But you can’t deny we live in a superficial society, especially with today’s dating market, so forgive me if I want to question your intentions with her.”

I’ll be damned if I agree with whatever nonsense she’s implying.

I stare Jane in the eye. “First of all, you’ve failed to acknowledge that Isabelle is an incredible business owner and that she graduated from one of the world’s most renowned fashion schools. Secondly, and more importantly, Isabelle is much more than just her profession. Perhaps you desired for her to follow a certain career pathway, but she’s allowed to have and pursue her own dreams and goals.

“If you want to question my intentions with her, I’ll let you know that I’m completely serious about her. However, Mrs. Wong, with all due respect, it’d be of the absolute and greatest level of absurdity if I allowed you to talk down to my girlfriend like that.”

Isabelle freezes while the rest of the Curtis-Wong family appear taken aback, to say the least.

My heart drums loudly against my rib cage, but I’m not finished talking yet.

“I was in a privileged position to have Carter Marketing Solutions handed down to me from my father. Isabelle, however, worked hard—and continues to work hard—to build her business from the ground up, to pour her heart into something so special to her, and to create something that she can call her own. I’ve had the honor to witness the immense passion, dedication, and commitment she has for her business, and every single day, I wake up in awe of her and the amazing, resilient, and talented woman she is. How could you say something so demeaning like that and not be proud and supportive of her?”

There’s a thunderstorm outside.

I’m not sure whether it only just started raining or whether it’s been pouring for the last several minutes and I’ve been oblivious to the change in weather outside.