Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

A strange sensation like heartburn intensifies in my chest, even after the call ends.

“All good?” Jimmy asks.

“It was my grandmother. The board has unofficially voted for me as the next CEO of the Hawthorne business.” There’s a disconnect between my body and mind, everything moving in slow motion as I say the words out loud.

Is this fucking it?

I’m still struggling with my own thoughts when my PR manager throws himself at me and hugs me like a child hugging his favorite toy. I stiffen at the contact, but he doesn’t seem to notice or care.

“Why aren’t you shouting from the rooftops? Today is the day we’ve been fucking working for all these years. We’ve got to celebrate. I’ll call Daisy to plan a big celebration.”

“She doesn’t need to do anything. She’s my wife, not your assistant.” My jaw clenches so tight it hurts as I pluck the phone out of his hand.

The excitement drains from him, replaced by a sheepish smile. “Sorry. Sometimes it’s hard to remember she has two roles in your company now.”

“She only has one role, and that’s being my wife.”

But instead of cowering beside the door as I had hoped, Jimmy looks at me with furrowed brows. “Is Daisy leaving the company? Is she pregnant?”

“What the fuck? Why would you even say that?”

“Why else would she stop working for you?”

“She’s not quitting, dammit. What I mean is that everyone needs to stop dumping their work on her.” I fix him with a scathing look. “We have a capable event management team. If you need a party, go to them. Daisy has enough on her plate.” My words hang in the air as I flick the partition switch.

The tinted-black glass slides down, and Dave, seated in the passenger seat, glances over his shoulder.

“We’ll be heading to work,” I relay. “But first, let’s drop Mr. Garcia at his office.”

“Thanks for not abandoning me in the middle of nowhere. It’s not like you haven’t done that in the past.”

“The sidewalk’s looking pretty inviting right about now.”

Jimmy falls silent, but the teasing grin remains. Ignoring him, I start typing a text to Daisy.

Me: I’m heading back to the office. Cancel all my meetings for the day. I need to tell you something important.

My heart quickens as I lean back in my seat.

Everything I’ve been working for over the years is finally happening, and she’s the only person I want to celebrate with right now.

She gave up everything, even her dream of marrying for love, to help me. A prick of unease hits my chest, but then I remember her delighted, rosy face from this morning as we jumped into the shower together.

No, she’s happy. She’s not missing out on anything.

I repeat those words in my head throughout the ride.

I practically skip out of my car when Steve parks it in the parking lot, my fingers tingling as I imagine Daisy’s reaction to the news. My feet bounce, hoping the elevator will go up faster. But when I reach my office floor and enter my private office area, Daisy’s chair is empty.

What the fuck? Where is she?

Frantically looking around, I check the coffee corner and conference room, but she’s nowhere to be found.

The last two times I couldn’t find her, she was inside a collapsing building or held hostage by her ex.

Before my thoughts can turn cynical, I send her a text.

Me: Where are you?