Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

I steal another glance at Daisy, who’s looking stunning in a bright red off-shoulder dress, matching heels, and a crimson bow in her hair. Lately, I find myself doing this often—admiring her from a distance.

It didn’t take me long to notice she’s been avoiding me since our mind-blowing adventure in the sunroom. She spends a lot of evenings at her dad’s place, and her lunch hours are often spent in training new assistants.

But last night, during the official announcement, I caught a glimpse of the Daisy I’ve known all these years. She jumped into my arms without caring that we were in the living room and Mrs. Kowalski was right there changing flowers. But before things could escalate beyond a kiss, she stepped out of my grip, and then until I fell asleep, she was on a phone call with Willow.

“Come with me.” Ray tucks his hands into his pockets and strides away without waiting for my response. I’m so fucking tempted to blow him off and stay put. But knowing Ray, he’ll return and drag me until he’s at the root of my troubles.

When it comes to family, everything is personal for him.

With one last look at Daisy, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip as she listens to her friend’s animated chatter, hands flailing and all, I make my way toward the door Ray just exited.

I find him standing on the dark balcony, illuminated only by the faint glow of streetlamps and the tip of his lit cigar.

“So she can smell booze on you but not tobacco?” I hate my irritated words as soon as they leave my mouth.

“Does that make you feel better?” He takes another drag before flicking the butt into a glass of water he must have picked up on the way, the lingering aroma of spent tobacco subtly filling the air.

“Sorry. It was an asshole thing to say.”

“It was, but also not like you, not when it comes to Quill. So tell me what the fuck is going on with you and Daisy.”

“She wants kids,” I blurt. The tension has been simmering inside me for so long.

I’m not stupid. I know why she’s pulling away.

“Was that also part of the contract?” Ray crosses his arms over his chest.

“Can you stop bringing up the contract every time we talk about Daisy?” My teeth clench painfully. “She’s my wife, for God’s sake, not some business deal.”

“I thought her becoming your wife was part of a deal.”

“I don’t know why I thought talking to you was a good idea.” I turn around to storm off, but he grabs my arm.

“I’m not trying to get a rise out of you, Charlie. I’m genuinely trying to understand what has changed between you two.”

How can I explain that not one thing, but everything has changed? I’ve started yearning for things that had no place in my life.

Like making her smile.

Or waiting in bed to watch her sleep until she opens her eyes because I want to be the first thing she sees every day.

“You like her?” he asks cautiously, devoid of humor or emotion.

If it weren’t about me, I’d find the situation laughable—two big-shot businessmen hiding from everyone and talking about a girl like a pair of high schoolers.

“I…I don’t know.” How long are you going to hide from the truth, Hawthorne? “But what I do know is we want opposite things in life.”

“So she wants kids and you want…?”

“Not to have kids.” Every muscle in my body tenses.

“Why?”

“Because she wants her own family.”

“I was asking about you, smartass. What she wants is a natural thing.”

“I can’t bear the responsibility for someone. Keeping them safe, watching them twenty-four seven.” A tightness grips my chest. “I don’t want to mess up anyone’s life even by mistake.”