Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

Before I can reply, another message pops up on my phone screen.

Boss aka Charles Asshole Hawthorne: Reply to me, goddammit.

My heart squeezes. I can’t even call him an asshole right now. He has every right to go ballistic on me. I was the one who pushed him to do this interview and promised to handle everything. And then, at the last minute, I bailed on him as he faced what’s probably the hardest task of his life.

The TV volume lowers, and when I turn to face Dad, he’s looking at me.

“Go to work, Doodles. I’ll be fine.” When I don’t respond, he adds, “I won’t leave the house, I…I promise.”

But we both know there’s a good chance he’ll forget he even made that promise.

“I’ll do my best,” he adds sincerely, his forced smile squeezing my heart even more. “After today, I might consider extra locks so it takes longer for me to leave the house, giving my memory some time to kick in.”

“No! Please don’t do that, Dad. If we ever need to enter the house forcibly, it’ll take too much extra time.”

His eyes widen. “I didn’t consider that.”

I return to him and hold his hands. “We’ll find a way, Dad. Maybe I can move back home.” I’ll give up anything to make sure he’s safe right now.

“You can’t be with me twenty-four seven, kiddo. No one can.”

But that’s not entirely true. An idea sparks in my mind, tingling my skin. Since Dad’s first time getting lost, I’ve been thinking about it.

“But a full-time nurse can.”

“I—I don’t think I can afford that, Doodles.” Dad’s response is bland compared to my excited squeal.

“Let me worry about something for once, Dad.” I smile. I know it won’t be easy or cheap, but I’ve saved enough over the years. And I can always take out a loan.

Yes, everything is going to be okay.

Half of my chest breathes in relief while the other half braces itself for Charles Hawthorne’s impending wrath.

Focus on what you can control, Daisy. Your boss and his behavior are definitely not one of those things.

I’m mentally listing nearby hospitals to inquire about a full-time nurse when I hear a noise in the kitchen.

“What are you doing, Dad?” I rush to him as he’s transferring pancakes from my plate into my childhood Barbie lunch box.

“I’m not an invalid, kiddo. Plus, you need to be there.” He gestures toward the TV, where the camera shows a live feed of the town hall, with Charles’ picture inset.

“I can’t leave you right now.”

“Your life can’t come to a halt because of me, Doodles. I’ll try to make sure stuff like this happens less.” His smile doesn’t reach his eyes, and we both know it’s beyond his control. “Now, go.”

“But, Dad—”

“I’ll call Mel, and she’ll check on me a few times. Is that better?”

I’m grateful every day that Aunt Mel and Uncle Fred live right next door to Dad.

“Only for now,” I reply after a long pause. “But we still need to talk about a full-time nurse.”

He simply smiles at my words, and I know it’ll take some convincing.

“I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you too, kiddo. Now go. Your boss needs you.”