Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

DAISY

I hover outside Hawthorne Heritage Room, pressing my ear against the door in a futile attempt to catch any whispers from within. Charles’ stoic bodyguards show no reaction as I awkwardly drop to all fours, trying to catch a glimpse through the small gap at the bottom of the door.

We all know today is freaking important.

“Daisy? I knew I’d find you here.”

No, God no. Not today and definitely not right now.

“You can’t pretend to not hear me, Daze.”

My arms feel like they’re carrying a ton of bricks as I try to rise up. I’m still kneeling when I face Jax, and I immediately cringe, coming face-to-face with his belt buckle. All his texts from the past days fill my head, making me want to retch.

His lips curl on one side, letting me know he’s thinking the same thing. How did I never notice before that Jax resembles a character from a zombie movie when he smiles like that?

I straighten up, taking a step closer to him. He needs to leave, and fast.

“Jax, I’m working. You need to go.”

He responds with a deep chuckle. “Not happening. We need to talk, and I’m not budging until we do. Who answered my call that day, anyway? Did you hook up with someone in our off time, my bad girl?”

Was I seriously with this man all these years?

“Jax, this is not the time for this!”

“Was it the guy from your office reception? Or the coffee machine repairman? I’ve seen how they look at you.”

He doesn’t even consider it could be my boss, the person I’m closest to at work.

But shouldn’t I be relieved? Isn’t it a good thing he doesn’t suspect Charles?

My thoughts whirl like a blender at full speed. Dad, Charles, and now Jax.

“I’m not having this conversation here, Jax. Actually, I’m not having it at all.” I pull on Jax’s arms, but he remains stubbornly in place.

“Do you need some assistance, Daisy?” Steve takes a step closer to us.

“Assistance?” Jax’s eyebrows nearly reach his hairline. “What are you going to do? Drag me away? This is a public place, dude.”

“Jax!” My teeth grind together. “Don’t cause a scene here.” This time, when I pull on his arm, he surprisingly relents. I continue until we reach the entrance of the building. “You and I are finished.”

“Like hell we are. I made a mistake.”

“A mistake?” I scoff, though my heart aches with pain and anxiety. “Which part was a mistake? Letting someone give you a blow job or being too lazy to find a discreet spot instead of the office coffee corner?”

“Daisy, you don’t get it. You were working nonstop those days. You had no time for me, and I needed someone.” Jax’s words sear like acid through my ears.

“How dare you try to pin this on me?” I hiss.

“I’m not putting all the blame on you, but it wasn’t entirely my fault. You were never around, and Marcy reminded me so much of you when we first met.”

“Are you kidding me? Do you honestly think that makes it any better? You need to go, Jax, and I never want to see you again—”

My words are cut off as I’m blindsided by a door from the right, sending me careening into a massive three-tier cake. I hit the ground, bringing the cake down with me, until I’m left sprawled on the floor, covered head to toe in icing. My hair, face, and the purple silk top I bought just for today are all coated in the sticky mess.

I feel a prickling sensation behind my eyes, the tears threatening to spill over.

God, why are you being so cruel today? What have I done to deserve this punishment?