Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

I throw my head back against the headrest, the news video replaying in my mind like a relentless loop. Daisy’s honey-dipped voice, confessing she loves me, echoes in my ears. In the quiet of the room, my pulse quickens in a foreign beat. My fists clench as I struggle to maintain clarity and push aside the memory of her voice—a little out of breath and a whole lot excited.

Fuck!

The media won’t stay quiet for long. I’ve got to give them something before their imagination spirals out of control and they start hunting for my imaginary girl.

But there’s no one other than her I can trust with this. She’s safe, familiar, and even though she’s a whole lot of crazy, she’s my only hope. Over the years, she’s proved her loyalty and discretion. My family likes her, and even Jimmy believed in the story of our secret romance.

But will she agree?

Making people agree to your terms is the one thing you’re best at, Charles. Work your Hawthorne magic and make her an offer she can’t refuse.

This might be the biggest fucking deal of my life.

A knock startles me, and for the first time, my heartbeat accelerates in uncertainty and something weird like heartburn, at the anticipation of seeing my assistant.

But instead, Raymond enters holding two boxes of pizza, followed by Rowan and Archer with root beer. Alex saunters in empty-handed behind them.

“I knew you were going to be the first one among us to get hitched, brother.” Ray slaps my back before plopping down on the leather chair beside me.

“Fuck off.”

“Can we please start at: who’s the lucky girl?” Archer raises an eyebrow.

“You mean the one who loves Charlie the most?” Rowan signs, his mischievous eyes and smile speaking his emotions.

“Feel free to throw in whatever punch line you’ve been saving.” I motion toward Alex. “But when you’re ready to hear the truth, I’d like your opinion on something.”

“Go ahead. I’ll survive without mocking you for today. I have a feeling there’ll be plenty of chances in the future.” Alex grins and all the Teager boys chuckle.

“Very funny. But if my plan works, I might be able to put an end to the nonsense of today and turn things in my favor.” It’s probably the gravity of my words or my tone that draws their attention, as they all sit straight.

“We’re listening.” Rowan passes me a can of root beer.

“The woman on the TV is Daisy. She was expecting her friend at the door.”

“Fuck!”

“Jesus!”

“Holy shit!”

“That makes so much fucking sense!”

I give them all a minute.

“Here’s the catch,” I say, placing my phone onto the table and showing them the flood of texts. Congratulations, dinner invites for me and my lovely fiancée, and even speculation on how cute the next generation of Hawthornes is going to be.

“They want to vote in your favor.” Alex says what they’re probably all thinking. His usual calm voice has a touch of surprise.

I nod.

“But you know the media is not going to stay quiet. I’m sure they’re already snooping around.” Archer throws a glance at me before tearing off a slice of pizza.

“Exactly. It won’t take long before they piece it together.” Ray takes a swig of his beer.

“I know, and that’s why I have a plan.”

Rowan tips his head to the side. “It must be something, because I’ve never seen you smile so big, Charlie.”