Page 103 of A Perfect Fit

“Yeah,” I respond, hoping my voice comes out assuring. “I’m okay.”

Dad’s gaze drifts between me and Jackson. “If you need anything, just give me a shout.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, Karl,” Jackson adds.

“You’re welcome.” Dad walks off, leaving me and Jackson alone.

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Jackson asks, his brows drawing together. “About what happened at dinner, I mean.”

I nod. “Yeah. I am.”

Mom’s words still hurt, but not as much as they did earlier tonight.

A sincere, unwavering look spreads across Jackson’s face. “I meant everything I said to your mom. Just because she’s your mother doesn’t mean she can talk down to you like that.”

“I know.” I sigh. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

I clear my throat, glancing around the bedroom. “Do you want to shower first, or should I go? I don’t mind either way.”

Mischief shines in Jackson’s eyes. “I have a third option.”

“Which is?” I slowly ask, afraid of what he might say.

“We jump inside the shower together.”

My breath hitches as a vivid image of Jackson standing inside the shower, with his hair wet and droplets of water running down his toned body, conjures in my mind.

Laughter bubbles in his throat. “I’m just messing with you, Bella. By the way, your cheeks are a little red.”

Great. I’ve been exposed. Again.

“And on that note, I need to splash some cold water on my face,” I say, making a dash for the door with my T-shirt and shorts. “See you on the other side!”

Even without seeing Jackson right now, I can picture amusement painting his face. He knows what he’s doing to me—that’s for sure.

Telling myself to snap out of it, I head to the bathroom, which is next door to the guest bedroom. It’s locked, the sound of running shower water inside. Call me a coward, but I’m not ready to go back to the bedroom and face Jackson again yet, so I decide to wait outside.

Ten minutes later, the bathroom door opens, revealing Ivy with a towel draped around her body. She struts past me without acknowledging me, her head held high.

Fine. Have it that way.

I enter the bathroom, searching for toiletries and fresh towels. Once I’m all showered and ready for bed and in my T-shirt and shorts, I return to the bedroom. The shorts are small and tight on me since I’ve outgrown them, but I suppose they’ll have to do.

Jackson glances up from his phone where he’s sitting on the edge of the bed, his gaze slowly raking over me in my tight shorts, lingering on exposed skin. My body vibrates with heat.

“There’s only one bed,” I blurt out, hoping talking will be a good distraction.

“You don’t say.”

I roll my eyes. “So, how do you want to do this?”

“I can sleep on the floor, and you can take the bed,” Jackson offers.

I frown. “Actually, no, don’t do that. You’re the guest, and you’re the one doing me a favor. We’re both adults, so we’ll be fine sharing.”