Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

“You know Penny isn’t going to remember anything, right?” Daisy raises an eyebrow as Willow and Chloe bring in another box of decorations and place them on the next table.

“There’s something called photographs, Daze.” My sister makes her duh face. “Plus, we will remember, and I don’t want to ever feel like I could have done something more for my favorite niece’s first Christmas.” Chloe visibly shudders, and Willow nods her head furiously.

“Ditto.”

“How do you know she’s your favorite niece? We could have another daughter, who you might love more,” I say, even when it seems impossible.

I don’t think I could love anyone more than I love Penny. Okay, maybe one person.

My dear wife.

But that’s only because she’s the one who brought all this happiness into my life.

A warm, soothing feeling spreads throughout my chest, filling me with a sense of peace as I pull Daisy a bit closer and her gaze flies up to me.

“What?” she whispers for only my ears, and I shake my head.

“I’m just…happy.” When I smile, her lips curl further.

“Me too.”

“For someone who used to be so scared and a total jerk about babies, look at you now. Already talking about baby number two.” Willow wiggles her brows.

These past two months, I’ve grown closer to Daisy’s friends, and not by choice. These women are at my house to see Penny almost every day.

Neither of the girls wait for my answer and are already marching toward the door, where they meet Daisy’s dad. Jason Price strolls in, dressed in a red suede coat over a white turtleneck. His long white hair is loose today and not in the statement ponytail, reaching almost to his shoulders.

He’s followed by Kai, who has become more like family to all of us, but mostly to Jason.

“There are my favorite girls.” Jason immediately reaches us.

The days of his memory lapses are still there, and when all of a sudden this sweet man looks at me like a stranger, it kills me. I can only imagine how it must affect Daisy. But not today.

I hug my father-in-law before shaking hands with Kai.

“Dad, you’re early.” Daisy hugs her father before placing Penny in his arms.

“I know, Doodles. But I didn’t want to wait until the evening to give my daughter and granddaughter their presents.”

“You being here with us is the greatest gift of all.” Daisy’s voice gets heavy, and when I pull her closer, she leans into my touch as we both watch Jason look down and smile at his granddaughter. “You don’t have to give us anything more, Dad.”

“It’s my right to spoil my granddaughter and any other future grandkids. Isn’t it, Charlie?”

“Absolutely.” I nod.

Jason grins at me before kissing Penny’s forehead and giving her back to Daisy.

He pulls a small jewelry box from his pocket and opens it for us.

Wow. It’s the smallest hair clip I’ve ever seen, with a bow and two pearls.

“Oh my God, Dad! It’s so beautiful, but you really didn’t have to buy anything for her.”

“I didn’t buy it, Doodles.”

I take Penny from Daisy’s arms. It seems whatever Jason is going to say next, they won’t be just words.

“Many, many years ago—a year after our marriage to be exact—your mom was pregnant for a very short while. It was her birthday, and I saw this at a jewelry shop.” Jason places the box into Daisy’s quivering hands.