Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

Indecision flickers in her eyes as I gently nudge her toward the door.

“I’ll be fine, I promise.”

“You call me the moment you’re done or if you need anything, Daze.”

When Willow’s phone rings for the millionth time, she finally leaves.

In the eerie silence of the waiting room, a tightness grows in my chest. To calm myself, I get up from the chair and pass by the numerous posters on the wall.

Can I do this alone? Not just today’s appointment but this journey—

My anxiety doesn’t even get to see the full light, because it’s soon replaced by pure fear.

A familiar voice, loud and clear, booms from the hospital lobby. Mayor Gretel Coggeshall.

What the hell is she doing here?

It hasn’t been long since I gave my uncensored drunk performance to prove I’m not pregnant, yet here I am.

Crap! That woman has X-ray eyes. If she could correctly judge I was pregnant even before I knew, how could she not recognize me?

I skip out of the waiting area, aiming for the ladies’ room where I changed, but that’s not going to happen. She’s already headed my way.

I look around and spot a door. The shining metal doorknob to my right calls my name, and without a second thought, I turn it open.

The moment I step inside, my whole world tips at the sight before me.

Ray sits across from a female doctor, cradling in his arms the most adorable little girl, about five or six years old. She hides her face in his chest and wraps her tiny arms around his neck at my unexpected appearance.

Is this some sort of portal to a parallel universe?

Because the corporate shark Raymond Teager, who’s equally revered and feared among his competitors, doesn’t do cute. And for the love of God, I can’t imagine anyone using him as a protective shield. But right now, he’s the picture of cuddliness, except for the murderous expression on his face that shifts to confusion as he looks at me from head to toe.

“Daisy?”

So much for the disguise.

“Sorry. I got lost.”

The doctor rises from her chair. “You’re in the OB-GYN and pediatric wing right now, Mrs. Hawthorne. Where exactly were you trying to go? Perhaps I can assist you.”

My palms turn clammy under her well-intentioned probing. Nervous, my gaze jumps to Ray, who continues to regard me with the same trust level a grizzly bear has for strangers approaching her cubs.

But his hands…

I can’t pull my gaze away from them. His large palms, which are strong enough to throttle anyone and do serious harm, are stroking the little girl’s back with featherlight touches.

The doctor clears her throat, making me jump.

“I…I was here to talk to my dad’s doctor.” The lie slips out of my mouth again.

“It’ll be the news of the year if the media spots you in this swing. You know that, right?” Ray smirks as if he’s the one who’ll be benefiting the most out of that horrible situation.

The little girl releases her arms from around his neck. Pushing her bangs out of her eyes, she looks at me. Her untidy ponytail shifts in the air as she moves her head like a puppy, while Ray’s hold around her stays firm.

“You have a daughter?” I ask. After watching them for a few moments, I have zero doubts about their relationship.

Nobody replies until the girl nods excitedly.