Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

After sharing a hug, we place our drink order and settle into our chairs. So far, I’m clueless about why we’re meeting in the middle of the week, especially when the holidays are just around the corner.

“I love our town this time of year.” Elodie sighs, echoing my emotions as she pulls her auburn hair into a scrunchie.

“I love this town all year round. We do know how to celebrate,” Willow chimes in, and we all give an agreeing nod.

“Speaking of celebrations, did anyone read Willow’s interview in the local travel magazine this week?” Violet grins, her eyes gleaming behind her golden-rimmed circular glasses, and I can’t help my nod. I’m so proud of my friend as she takes another step closer to her dreams.

“How’s that, speaking of celebrations?” Willow giggles, then shrugs. “I just thought it would be good for the inn’s publicity. But tonight, we’re here to discuss something else.”

“We are?” I raise an eyebrow.

“I ran into Jax.” Willow’s lips twist, and my groan is loud enough to rattle the whole restaurant.

“Please tell me he didn’t talk to you.”

“Oh, he did more than that. He gave me something for you.” She pulls out an envelope from her handbag and places it on the table.

Oh my God, he didn’t.

“What the hell? I had no idea Jax was still around.” Violet’s gaze darts from me to the envelope.

“Me too,” Elodie adds.

“Me three—until this, of course.” Willow jerks her head toward the envelope. “That jerk said he’s sending you messages but you’re not responding. Is there still something between you and him, Daze?”

Okay, so now I know why we’re here.

Maybe it’s not so bad. I know I can confide in my friends.

“After catching Jax with his pants down and his dick in another woman’s throat, I have no desire to go back to him.” My face contorts at the memory, and I feel stupid that I ever wasted tears on such a jerk.

“And you’re okay with that?”

“Give me some credit, Willow. It’s not like Jax was a gift to womankind. Even before he decided to cheat, he was barely a decent boyfriend. I was just too scared to see it clearly. Forgetting my birthday every year. Showing up past midnight at my apartment, totally drunk. I’m not asking for the moon and the stars, but he could’ve made some effort, right?”

My best friends nod, and I feel like I’m finally ready to open up and get it all out of my system. Since I caught Jax red-handed, I’ve fried my brain wondering where I went wrong in our relationship, until the truth became clear—it wasn’t me.

I grab my kombucha tea and take a sip.

“The worst part is, I wasn’t even surprised when I caught him in the act. It’s like I knew deep down he was cheating, but I just wasn’t ready to face it. Does that make me a coward?”

“No way!” Elodie squeezes my hand on the table. “We all have to kiss a few frogs before finding our prince.”

“If finding a prince means dating more guys like Jax, then no, thank you. I’d happily skip the whole fairy tale. Do you know he’s texted me more in the last few months than in all the years we were together?”

Willow wrinkles her nose. “Men are idiots. Where are those movie-worthy guys? You know, the ones who are handsome and sweet.”

“Jax wasn’t even handsome,” I mumble, placing my glass back onto the table.

“But the guy with whom you spend most of your day is so hot.” Violet gives me a sly grin, tucking a curl behind her ear.

“Who are you talking about?” The words have barely left my mouth when she points to the window behind me.

“Isn’t that Charles Hawthorne?”

It takes me less than a second to spot my boss sitting in his car. With his window down, I have a clear view of him absorbed in his phone.

“What the heck is he doing here?” I gasp in shock. As if he heard me, Charles looks up, his brow still knitted as his eyes find mine. He looks so out of place outside a family restaurant.