Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

“I’m fully conscious. Do what you are asked,” I snap back, which is met by a pause, and then I hear a loud sigh from Troy’s side.

“You’re not making sense, Charles. As your lawyer, it’s my duty to tell you that this is insane. When you got married, you were adamant about not having a prenup. What is this now? Some sort of anti-prenup. Are you and Daisy getting a divorce?”

“I don’t pay you to ask questions. I pay you to do what I tell you to do. Have the papers ready by the morning. I’m sending you an address via text. Make sure they go out by first post.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Charles.”

I can’t even be upset with the man. He’s just looking out for me.

“Just do what I ask, Troy.”

I end the call and close the metal box, but the ghost of horrid memories is already out. Instead of shoving it back into the closet, I grab my coat from the bed and leave the room, holding the self-fulfilling prophecy as to why I’m not suited to be anyone’s parent.

36

FOR ALL THE DADDIES

DAISY

I open my eyes to find Willow sitting cross-legged on the other side of the bed. Her red hair is tied up with a pen hanging from the loose messy bun, while her fingers tap rhythmically on the laptop before her.

“Is there any coffee left or did you drink it all?” I jerk my head toward the empty coffee pot on the nightstand.

“Don’t worry, there’s plenty. Plus, shouldn’t you be the last person to care about coffee right now?” Her furrowed brows slowly settle down.

“I care about you.” I loop my arm around hers. “So, tell me whose murder my bestie is planning this morning.”

“I’m not there yet. But if things don’t go the way I’d like, killing is definitely not off the table.” The serious, murderous look on her face has me laughing.

“I was joking, Wills!”

“I’m not.” She then abandons her laptop and fully turns toward me. “So? Anything?” She tilts her head in the direction of my tummy.

I’m not sure who out of the two of us is more eager for my morning sickness to kick in.

“Nothing.” I shake my head, a tad disappointed.

“Really? I thought pregnancy was supposed to be more dramatic.” And then she leans forward, eye level at my tummy. “You listen to me, champ. Your stuck-up dad, whose idea of a laugh is tilting his mouth to one side, has already ruined fifty percent of your chances of being a cool kid. But this aunt wants all the tantrums, so don’t be too shy in there.”

“You make that request when you’re having one of your own.” I laugh, pushing her away.

“That day is never coming. Don’t you know me at all?”

“How are we friends again?” A laugh slips past my lips at the sight of her serious face. “Me, a girl who couldn’t wait to have her own family, and you, who hates kids.”

“I don’t hate kids. I just don’t plan to have my own.”

“Uh-huh. We’ll see someday.”

Willow grins. “That’s what I’m saying. We won’t be seeing anything, any day.”

The doorbell chimes, and we both turn our heads toward the wall clock in sync.

“These two. Total clockwork these days.” Willow springs out of bed, pirouetting out of the room with a mischievous grin.

My gaze slants to the wall calendar, and the smile drops.

A week has passed since I sort of moved in with Willow because I had nowhere else to go. When I married Charles, I had to give up the lease on my old apartment. Keeping it would have meant leaving bait for the media and reporters who are always after Charles. And now, moving in with Dad was out of the question, since that would mean too much risk and explanation, especially when I have to keep my move under wraps.