Page 80 of A Perfect Fit

Jackson watches me as I eat, staring intently at something on my lips.

“Do I have something on my face?” I ask.

He leans forward, his thumb brushing against the corner of my mouth to remove a crumb. “Not anymore.”

Oh.

I lick my spoon to get rid of remnants of the cake, and Jackson’s throat bobs.

“Are you okay?” I say.

“Careful with that spoon, or you’re going to give me ideas.” The huskiness in his voice cuts right through me, and heat flushes on my neck.

Jackson’s words keep doing something to me, but I tell myself he’s only teasing me. Just like how back in high school, he had no trouble flirting with girls.

“That’s not … you … ugh.” I glance down at my napkin. Just a few hours ago, I had no problem bantering back and forth with him, and now I’m all flustered. “I’m going to use the restroom,” I mutter. At least that’s not a lie.

Jackson nods, and I get up from my seat, taking my clutch.

Bright lighting and a citrusy smell greet me when I step inside the restroom. After using one of the stalls, I wash my hands and open my clutch, digging out my lipstick.

That’s when I realize I forgot to pack my cleansing balm. It’s still sitting on my bathroom counter at home. It’s definitely not the first time I’ve inadvertently left something out while packing. Luckily, there’s a pharmacy opposite the hotel, so I can probably head out after the gala to purchase it.

The sound of someone crying emanates from inside one of the stalls, snapping me out of my thoughts. I whip my head to the source of the voice, hearing another cry.

“Hey, are you okay?” I ask, walking over.

Aside from the two of us, the restroom’s empty.

There’s a sniffling sound, followed by a voice I recognize. “Go away.”

“Hilary?” I say despite her words and hesitate for a moment. “Are you okay?”

A long, awkward silence follows.

Deducing she probably wants to be left alone, I head back to the sink.

To my surprise, there’s a click as the stall unlocks, and Hilary steps out. Her eyes are red and puffy, and her eye makeup is smudged, streaks of mascara running down her face.

Hilary walks to the sink beside mine, blinking as she stares at her reflection in the mirror. “I look terrible.”

I reach inside my clutch to grab a packet of tissues, offering it to her.

“Thanks.” She takes out a tissue and blows her nose. “Unrequited love sucks.”

“Yeah,” I quietly say.

Maybe I wasn’t a fan of her earlier, but I don’t think she’s a bad person.

Hilary wets a tissue under the faucet, wiping away the mascara streaks and smudges on her face. “I had the biggest crush on Jackson from the first time I saw him.” There’s a dreamy look in her eyes when she mentions his name. “He’s hot, smart, funny, tall. He’s basically everything I’ve ever wanted in a man.”

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t agree with all those characteristics she listed about him.

“And he has dimples, too,” she adds.

I sigh. “Blame those dimples.”

Hilary sniffles again. “I’m sorry for how I acted today. I told myself I was okay with the rejection, but when I saw him with you, I guess I was jealous—like, why you and not me?” A doleful laugh flows from her mouth. “You probably think I’m so desperate for his attention.”