Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

It takes another hour before there are two cheese quesadillas, a mango smoothie, and a small batch of apple peanut butter cupcakes.

Everything has finally been packed. Mrs. Kowalski is about to throw a plain white paper napkin into the bag, when I interject.

“Can you put this in?”

Her gaze lands on the pink napkin with golden letters stating, Have a day that’s as magical as a unicorn, and just smiles.

A no-nonsense comment and definitely no making fun of me.

I knew she was the best person to ask for this help.

Daisy’s words from some weeks ago ring in my ear.

“Mrs. K doesn’t work on weekends for the extra pay, Charles. It’s because she worries about your paranoid ass.”

“Shall I call Dave or Steve, and they can take it to Daisy?” My housekeeper’s hand is poised to lift the bag from the counter when I intercept, extending my palm.

“I’ll take it to them.” I take hold of the bag in one hand while reaching for my jacket with the other.

Before exiting, I glance back to see her tidying up the mess I left behind.

“Mrs. K?” I call, using the nickname my sister coined years ago and everyone opts to use except me. “Thank you so much. Not just for this”—I tip my head toward the bag—“but for looking after me all these years.”

Surprise gleams in her eyes, but only for a second. Her lips once again curl into her usual motherly, soft smile. She knows I don’t like making a big fuss of things.

Maybe I’ve been too fast in dismissing my luck when it comes to people around me and their care.

“It’s always been my pleasure, Mr. Hawthorne. I hope the happiness you deserve finds its way back to you.”

I nod in appreciation before heading off to locate my bodyguard.

“Do you want me to do something more than hand over the bag, sir?” Dave asks as we stand across from Willow’s apartment for several minutes. I haven’t asked him to leave, nor have I let go of my deadly grip on the bag.

“How will we know if she’s able to eat this?”

“She’ll text Mrs. K, sir. Don’t worry.”

But what if she doesn’t? What if Daisy thinks she’s caused enough problems for everyone, and she just starts lying?

I know her. If her imminent desire to please everyone hasn’t reared its head by now, it’ll do so soon.

“That’s not enough.” I rake a hand through my hair. “Can you ask her to try it and stay there until she’s done?”

My grip on the bag tightens as I imagine my bodyguard sitting before Daisy and watching her eat.

It should be me, for fuck’s sake.

“Mr. Hawthorne, would you like to join me?” Dave asks slowly, as if he has a telepathic connection to my thoughts.

“I can’t.” My voice has no bite at all as I finally hand the bag to him.

With worrying about her diet and then cooking, I’m fucking drained to even snap at people.

I don’t know what Dave sees on my face, but he takes out his phone and dials someone. Immediately, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

The moment I pick up, he turns around and skids into Willow’s place.

Holy fuck, that’s genius.