Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

“Why don’t you all sit in the living room, and I’ll bring the food as soon as it’s ready? I’m worried you’ll overexert yourself, Daisy,” Mrs. K suggests kindly.

Before I can respond, Willow hides her hands behind her back, which were moments ago chopping herbs. “Am I bothering you too much with my questions?”

Mrs. K smiles. “Not at all, dear. I love having company in the kitchen.”

“Oh, thank goodness, because I’m having a blast.” Willow throws her arms around Charles’ housekeeper, who looks momentarily surprised before patting my friend’s back affectionately.

Her smiling gaze meets mine. “You girls go. I’m sure Mr. Hawthorne wouldn’t be thrilled to hear that you spent the whole day with me in the kitchen, Daisy.”

“Okay,” I agree, more so because my headache is slowly starting to make a grand appearance.

Once the three of us are settled on the couch, Elodie surprises me. “When you said you were sick, I really thought you were pregnant.”

“What? Why would you think that?” My hand reaching for my tea on the table freezes midair.

“Daze, even when we were kids, your biggest dream was to have your own family. It was natural for me to think so, now that you’re married to a man you love.”

“And not just any man, but Charles Hawthorne,” Violet adds.

“You thought the same?” I ask cautiously.

“Of course. Haven’t you read any gossip columns recently?” Violet nods.

“No, why?”

“There’s an article about you and Charles almost every week speculating if you guys got married because you were pregnant, or better yet, when the next Hawthorne will be born. So, believe me, there are a lot of people waiting to see your little one!” Violet grins, filling my chest with equal parts warmth and despair. It’s the feeling that comes when you wake up after dreaming about your biggest wish coming true. You feel the skin-tingling euphoria about something that’s just a figment of your imagination.

I shake my head slowly and take a sip of my warm drink. “Thank you for keeping me updated on the town gossip, but enough about me. What’s new with you guys? I feel like I haven’t seen you for so long.”

“You’ll be pleased to hear that I’m joining the local news as their newest local reporter.” Violet beams.

“You are? Oh my God, that’s such great news, Vi!” Elodie and I throw ourselves over Vi, laughing and tumbling onto the floor until my senses remind me of any potential germs I might transfer to my friends.

“I only got the confirmation two days ago—”

“And you waited two days to tell us about your dream coming true? That’s so cool, Vi!” I playfully smack her hand before settling back on the couch.

“Sorry.” Violet holds her ears with a sheepish smile. “But the dream is to someday work for the Elite Gazette, but yeah, this is a good start.” There’s unmissable glee on her face as she claps her hands together. “I can’t wait to cover all the amazing gossip in town.”

“You know you have to publish real news and not just gossip, right?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Of course.” She waves her hand dismissively. Elodie and I probably don’t look convinced, because Violet straightens up. “If you must know, I’m very ethical when it comes to journalism.”

Before I can ask her if there’s a journalist oath, Willow enters the room, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel.

“Why were you all squealing as if you just found out that Minnie King is performing in town and we just got front-row tickets?”

Minnie King, aka Dreamcatcher, is one of the most famous pop soul and ballad singers, and she has fans from all age groups, nine to ninety.

“About my new job.” Violet shrugs, then looks at me and Elodie. “I told her this morning.”

“Since when are you interested in cooking, by the way?” Elodie flicks her eyes toward Willow.

“What, because I cook badly, I’m not allowed to enter anyone’s kitchen?” Willow flops onto the floor, sitting cross-legged. When she pushes the sleeves of her pullover up, the vines of her tattoos peek out. “Since you sound so interested, I’m trying to rope in a new chef at the inn.”

“That’s amazing, Willow. Does that mean business is going well?” Elodie asks, but Willow’s expression darkens.

“What is it?” I tilt my head to the side.