Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

“When did you find out about them? I hope she didn’t cheat on you.”

“What the hell? Show some decency, you jackass.” Willow’s teeth grit, and every muscle in my body tenses, coiling like the bunched cleaning rag in her hand.

But Jax simply nods.

“Daisy used to spend an awful lot of time ‘working.’” That asshole makes air quotes for emphasis. “Weekends. Late nights. Sometimes she’d be gone for days before we’d see each other.”

“That’s just cruel.” The reporter’s downturned lips and pout remind me of the cool kids from my high school who never hung with us normal people.

Jax nods on the screen. “I tolerated everything because I loved her. But then I caught them together and decided to get out of the picture. I’m definitely no match for Charles Hawthorne. I’m sure Mr. Hawthorne is used to having women throw themselves at him with a flick of his wrist and maybe a few hundred dollars, but I hope he’ll treat Daisy with respect.”

Did he just say, caught them together? A few hundred dollars?

Is he really the man you’ve wasted your tears on, Daisy?

“We share your concern, Mr. Mendes. It was lovely talking to you.” The reporter turns to face the camera. “You all heard about Charles and the mystery woman, and if, like me, you’re wondering whether this is a whirlwind romance or just a fling, only time will tell.”

“Okay, we’ve seen enough.” Elodie sets the phone facedown.

My friends release a collective deep breath, yet I can’t believe what just happened was real and not some bad dream.

“It’s going to be okay, Daisy.” Willow throws her arms over my shoulders. “They’re not only talking about you but also Charles. I’m sure his team will put a leash on Jax and this nonsense soon.”

Oh my God, Charles!

In shock and self-pity, I momentarily forgot that I’m Charles’ assistant. Instead of slowly turning ice cold, my job is to alert his PR team when something like this surfaces.

I grab my phone from the couch, and as soon as I turn it on, there’s an influx of notifications, unread messages, and missed calls. Ignoring them all, I shoot a text to Jimmy, asking him to check the news.

I’m about to switch off my phone again when it rings. A shiver skates down my spine at seeing Aunt Mel’s name and face on the screen.

How the heck did I not think about Dad before making myself unavailable to everyone? What if he had called, or worse, someone else had called because he was once again lost?

“Hello, is Dad okay?” My words tumble upon one another in fear.

“Yes, hon. Jason is asleep. I just came back from your parent’s place and turned on the TV. Is it true? You and Mr. Hawthorne are together?” Her last question is nothing but a gasp.

I glance up at the ceiling, imagining the smirking faces of the gods, who have all ganged up against me today and decided, for whatever reason, I don’t deserve a single moment of peace.

“Um, Aunt Mel, can I please talk about this tomorrow? I have to be somewhere urgently.”

“Oh, yes. Of course. You must have to handle the press. Go.” I’m about to end the call when she adds, “I just want to tell you, Daze, Penny would be so happy today. She always used to say, ‘My Daisy will marry a prince,’ and Charles is nothing but a prince in this town.”

Something in my chest twinges as memories of Mom saying those words swim in my mind. Watching my parents, I dreamed of having my own family so often. A small house. Long nights spent beside a fireplace in the arms of my husband while it snows. Corralling my kids inside as the sun goes down on a Cherrywood summer day.

Yet, here I am, with my reality headed toward a fake marriage.

“I love you, Aunt Mel. But right now, I really have to go. I’ll call you soon, I promise.” I hit the end call button and put my phone facedown on the table.

When I turn around, my friends are watching me with concern and sympathy. They know well that this is just a beginning. Aunt Mel was happy for something that isn’t true, but I’m sure there will be a lot more people who won’t think the same way about this news and me.

I’m almost scared for tomorrow.

“One of us can stay with you tonight, Daze.” Elodie grabs my hand and holds on to it, as if reading my thoughts.

“Or all of us!” Violet adds. “We can turn this nightmarish evening into a throwback of our teenage slumber parties.”

“I’m scared of your plans, Vi.” I narrow my eyes on her. “We did the jerk-boyfriend purging ritual, and see where it landed me? I’m now the town slut.”