Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

“I knew it! Your boss is secretly pining over you. Why else would someone as handsome and sexy as Charles still be single, especially when women practically throw themselves at him?” Violet squeals, her pupils dancing like a puppy who just saw his favorite treat.

“Where is your calm-down button, Vi? No one is pining over anyone. He thinks marrying me will get the media off his back.”

“And what did you say?” Willow asks carefully, curiosity shining in her eyes as she leans forward.

“No, of course! I can’t say yes to this madness, can I?”

They all remain silent, looking at one another, until Violet breaks the quiet.

“If you say so. But he’s going to have a hard time finding a more perfect bride.”

“That’s true. How can he be sure the woman he’s marrying isn’t after his money?” Elodie shrugs before passing me a glass of wine, unaware that her words hit me right in my chest.

If I go ahead with this plan, I’d be doing the same thing. Marrying him for his money.

“Plus, there are people in this town who would do anything to see Charles Hawthorne fail,” Violet adds. “So what if the stranger does worse, like sabotage his business or ruin his image?”

My hand grabs the edge of the table at her crazy insinuation.

“Can we please talk about something else? I’m glad to see you worrying about my boss this much, but I’ve just spent half the day trying not to think about him or the video.”

They all nod, and thankfully, we get back to the food while talking about our town’s Christmas celebrations.

Willow is wiping the counter, and Elodie is loading our plates into the dishwasher. My hands are still in soapy warm water as I rinse the last wineglass, when Violet gasps.

“You all need to see this right now!” Her wide eyes, filled with excitement and a hint of worry, lock on to mine.

“What is it?” Willow plucks Vi’s phone and sets it onto the counter.

The foot I’ve just placed forward retreats, and I feel a sudden urge to retch. The video of Charles and me leaving town hall is on the screen, with my photo inset beside Charles’.

I don’t even notice which of my friends turns up the volume.

“The mystery woman is finally found, and despite what we all thought, she’s not a royal princess but a local girl. Yes, you heard right! The woman who confessed her love to Charles Hawthorne today is none other than his executive assistant.”

The clip of Charles’ back and my “I love you” is playing on the screen.

“Once again, Charles Hawthorne has surprised everyone, and we all can’t help but wonder if there’s a Pretty Woman situation going on here.”

I’m torn between feeling flattered by the comparison to Julia Roberts or offended because of the character’s profession in the movie.

“How the hell did they find you so easily?” Willow wheezes.

Before my frazzled brain can even process her question, Jax appears on the screen with a reporter, standing outside town hall.

The room spins around me, and I feel dizzy for a second.

“Everyone, meet Jax Mendes, the man who confirmed the true identity of the mystery woman,” the reporter announces, as Jax grins and waves to the camera, and I recoil watching his smile. “So, let’s start from the beginning. What’s the name of the woman in the video?”

“She’s Daisy Price, Charles’ executive assistant for the last four years. She has access to places in his life that no one else does.” Jax’s eyebrows lift in a lewd way, making me almost gag.

“I’m sure she does.” The reporter grins back. “And how do you know her?”

“She’s my ex.”

“Charles Hawthorne’s current girlfriend is your ex?”

The shock on the man’s face can’t be more fake and practiced. How did he end up in television?