Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

“I don’t think so,” he says carefully.

“Me neither. Mom would have kicked you out if you tried that.”

“I totally agree with you on that, Daze.” Aunt Mel brings Dad tea as she tries to hide her worry behind a forced smile. “I’ll leave you two alone. If you need something, just holler.” She kisses my forehead, holding my head a bit tight before leaving.

Dad and I sit by the fireplace for several seconds, until he finally breaks the silence.

“I forgot why I went there.” Dad’s low voice trembles, creating a matching shiver in my heart.

“It’s okay, Dad. You’re safe, and that’s what matters.”

His grip tightens on my hand. “It’s not okay, kiddo, and it won’t get any better.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “Days like today might not get better, but all the others will be extra fabulous. I promise you that, Daddy. Do you trust your Doodles?”

“I trust you completely. But I also trust myself to be a bigger burden each day.” His words are laced with pain.

“You could never be a burden to me.” Placing a kiss on his hand still holding mine, I rise up. If we stay like this, we’ll never get out of these sucky talks. “How about I make us some pancakes?”

A genuine smile spreads across his face. Mom used to joke that Dad would sell us both for his favorite peanut butter pancakes. Of course, that’s the first thing I learned to cook, and they came in handy for getting special permissions.

As I set the large glass bowl for preparing pancake batter onto the counter, my phone buzzes.

Jimmy: The media is already here and setting up. Charles is leaving in five mins. Since he isn’t flipping out, I’m assuming he doesn’t know his Monster Repeller isn’t here.

Me: I thought it was better this way.

Jimmy: Let’s see. Because I completely trust your boss to storm out of a room full of reporters just because he can’t find his assistant.

God, I hope not.

Please, Charles. Just for once, be a gentleman for the cameras.

I return to the living room with pancakes and tea. Since Dad’s diagnosis, we’ve swapped his coffee for green tea entirely.

“Isn’t that your boss?” Dad points toward Charles’ photo on the TV screen, and without waiting for my response, he cranks up the volume.

“It’s a special day in Cherrywood. Heir to the famous Hawthorne family, Charles Hawthorne is doing his first exclusive interview for a select group of news channels. Charles has been leading Hawthorne Holdings for four years and is soon to officially inherit the family business and empire from his grandmother. With significant shares in businesses like Elixir Inc., Charles ranks among the richest men in the business world. Yet the reclusive tycoon has always kept his personal life shrouded, so what’s changed now? There are speculations about Charles finally coming out about his love life, which is talked about as much as his work.” The female reporter grins, tipping her head toward the town hall building behind her.

“Aren’t you supposed to be there?” Dad points his finger toward the screen.

“I’m right where I need to be, Dad. Don’t worry—” My words are interrupted by the vibration of my phone once again.

Calm the heck down, Jimmy.

“Charles Hawthorne just arrived at Cherrywood Town Hall,” the reporter exclaims.

My head feels like it’s in a blender right now, swinging from Dad’s confused face to my phone buzzing angrily and Charles’ face on the TV.

My boss steps out of his car, disregarding the numerous cameras pointed at him. Dressed in a charcoal-black suit paired with a navy-blue tie and white shirt, he truly looks like he owns even the air that flows in this town. I can’t believe he’s the same man who I bother with silly pink napkins and a sillier nickname.

Somehow, I snap out of the trance that Charles Hawthorne weaves around people.

I pass a plate to Dad, whose gaze is fixed on the TV like the entirety of Cherrywood, and then check my phone.

My knees wobble, a rare feeling akin to fear settling in—fear of Charles’ reaction.

Boss aka Charles Asshole Hawthorne: Where are you?