Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

This interview being over.

“Getting out of this room, preferably within the next second.”

Finally! 1 for 3.

The interviewer giggles once again, drowning my own chuckles. She genuinely sounds fun and competent. If there was a romance movie about a hot billionaire and a sexy reporter falling in love during an interview, I’d definitely watch it. But somehow imagining the same situation with my boss doesn’t leave me with happy feelings.

“We all love seeing this secret funny side of your personality, Charles,” the interviewer remarks.

“He’s not being funny, lady,” I mumble to myself, flopping flat on the couch. “Plus, it’s Mr. Hawthorne.” With the phone resting on my chest, Charles’ voice rumbles against my heart.

“I wasn’t trying to be funny.”

2 for 4.

Even my inner voice has lost its excitement, and I’ll never admit it out loud, but right now I share Charles’ abhorrence toward the media and reporters.

“I meant, what’s Charles Hawthorne looking forward to the most in the near future?”

Becoming the CEO of Hawthorne Holdings.

I’m one hundred percent sure that’s the only thing on his mind these days.

“Visiting my sister at the end of the year. Since she’s in France, I spend every Christmas with my family here and every New Year’s Eve with her.”

“What?” I jump in place. How did I not know this?

Because your boss gives you a break once a year, and you’d rather worry about your own fun than wonder what he’s up to. You wouldn’t even think about him if there was a chance your thoughts would call to him and remind him that he has an assistant he can boss around.

“That’s really sweet of you. Speaking of your sister, it’s been years since Chloe Hawthorne has set foot in Cherrywood. The whole town is dying to see our local heiress in person. She’s certainly taken Europe’s fashion industry by storm.”

“I’ll give you anything if you can motivate her to come back,” Charles says in his no-nonsense voice.

“Oh, Mr. Hawthorne, that’s a risky thing to say in front of a camera. In case you don’t know, there are many people in this town who would take this challenge seriously, including me.” The reporter giggles, but Charles responds with a light clearing of his throat.

“On that note, we can close the interview.”

“Oh no! You’ve just started telling us the good stuff. You have to give us something more. Please, Charles, we insist.”

There’s a collective hum of other reporters.

I can imagine Charles biting the inside of his cheek before he says, “I’ll give you one more question.”

“One? No! At least three, please.”

“One is my final offer. You can take it or I can leave.”

“You’re a tough businessman, Mr. Hawthorne.”

“Believe me, I don’t feel like one right now.”

“So since this is the last question, I have to be very careful. Does Charles Hawthorne have a special woman in his life?”

My grip around the phone tightens and I sit straight. I’m one hundred percent expecting a “Not at all,” but still, this is the first time someone has asked this question to Charles directly.

“Yes, I do. And thank you so much, everyone, for coming here.” Charles’ words are drowned out by the loud gasps.

Holy freaking hell!