Page 24 of A Perfect Fit

“Hi, Hilary,” I say.

Hilary goes to my gym, and we’ve run into each other several times. The first time, she asked me how to use a piece of gym equipment even though she looked like she already knew how to use it.

She giggles. “Aw, you remember my name.” Her eyes widen. “Wait, I just realized, we both go to the gym and drink coffee. It’s, like, we have so much in common, right?”

I give her a polite smile. “I have to head off, but nice to see you.”

“Wait.” Hilary tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I saw your company’s been nominated for the Wonderland Marketing Awards. Congrats!”

The Wonderland Marketing Awards is a gala and business awards night, held annually, to celebrate and recognize success in the marketing industry. This year, Carter Marketing Solutions has been nominated for the Excellence in Marketing Award. The event’s taking place in Chicago, and I’ll be attending on behalf of the company.

“Thank you,” I respond.

Hilary blushes. “My uncle’s business is also a nominee, and I asked for an invite to the event, too. I was thinking maybe we could go together.”

A lie slips out of my mouth before I can stop myself. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m going with someone else already.”

Hilary’s shoulders slump. “Oh. Out of curiosity, is this someone you’re seeing?” Then she blurts out, “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“Uh … yeah.” It’s probably easiest to let her think I’m already taken.

Hilary blinks, glancing up at the ceiling before facing me again. “I understand.” Her face brightens. “Well, if things don’t work out with her, we should grab dinner together. I know a cool Italian place in Tribeca that opened recently.”

I sigh, not wanting to lead her on because I’m not interested in her romantically. “I can’t make that promise, Hilary. I’m sorry.”

“Oh.” She bites her lip. “Well, if you ever change your mind, even if that’s, like, a five percent chance, will you let me know?”

“I will,” I concede.

She beams. “Yay! Amazing!”

A barista calls out Hilary’s name.

“Oh, that’s me!” Hilary giggles again and pastes on another smile. “See you at the gym, Jacky!”

I grimace at the nickname. “See you.”

I head for the exit, adding find a date for the Wonderland Marketing Awards to my to-do list.

Tourists, locals, and families stroll through one of the city’s most popular markets, and the smoky and savory aroma of hot dogs wafts through the warm July air. The scent tugs at childhood memories of my parents taking me and Lucy to the market.

Shaking off the memories, I walk ahead.

The plan is simple: give Isabelle Anna’s card and leave straightaway.

I spot Isabelle at her booth from afar, smiling and chatting away with a customer. Today, she’s wearing a yellow floral dress, and her long hair’s pulled into a high, messy bun with two strands of hair out at the front.

She loved floral-print clothing back in high school. Though I bet, one day, she’s going to get sick of wearing floral, and she’ll have nothing to wear from her wardrobe.

I hear bits and pieces of Isabelle’s conversation with her customer—something about how she’s hosting her first-ever fashion show. She shakes her head at something the customer said, her gold hoop earrings dangling with the movement. The customer lets out a hearty laugh and says something else, which causes Isabelle to smile.

I’ll admit, there’s always something attractive about someone when they’re talking about a topic they’re passionate about and the sparkle you can see in their eyes. Unfortunately, Isabelle’s no exception to that.

When the customer heads off, Isabelle wanders to a clothes rack, fully in her element. She checks each item of clothing before making her way to the mannequin next to the clothes rack, the early afternoon rays of sunlight gently caressing her skin and illuminating her dark hair.

Strangely, she looks almost angelic.

Fuck.