Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

“If you think a wife’s job is to arrange your calendar, write emails to your clients, and make sure your coffee is exactly the way you like it, I feel sorry for you, Charles A. Hawthorne.”

Despite her widening eyes, there’s a slight twitch at the corner of her lips, a tiny reaction that soothes my own anxiety. She said wife, and she’s still here.

“Don’t for a second think that I’m not aware of why you deliberately use my full name when you’re pissed off, or what the A stands for.”

“I never tried to hide it, boss.”

The grin that spreads across her face is wide, reminding me of how much I look forward to seeing her smile every day. A curl of those full lips and, bam, my day starts to look up.

“Say yes, Daisy. I swear you’re not going to regret it.”

“Charles.” Her smile drops, surging my own anxiety. “Can’t you see that this is never going to work? Despite this being equivalent to an Olympic gold for me, as you just stated”—her eyebrows rise—“I’m not one of the townsfolk who want to see me by your side. In case you missed it last night, I was almost compared to a slut in that interview.”

A tight knot forms in my chest at hearing that word. Once I’ve convinced her, I’m going to hunt down the reporter who dared to compare Daisy with anything less than perfection. I ignore that pulse in my jaw and focus back on her.

“That’s even better. It’d be like a fairy-tale love story.”

“Hey! I was expecting consideration, not for you to agree to that nonsense.” She throws her hands up in the air.

“Asking for sympathy is for the weak, and that’s definitely not you.”

Her lips curl up, and I go in for the final hit.

“Say yes, Daisy. Forget the media. The stakeholders believe it and that’s enough.”

“And what about your family? Your parents, Chloe, GG, and your grandmother? God, your grandmother! Have you thought about how Irene Hawthorne will react? The whole town has heard rumors about how she was upset with your dad and your aunts for not marrying into families of her choosing. And I’m the most imperfect match of all.”

I shrug. “Then I’m keeping up with the family tradition.”

“You’re not even denying that I’m an imperfect match? Way to go in making a girl feel special.”

Her accusing eyes squint, tracing my moves as I walk to my desk. I open the top drawer, and my hand hesitates as I grab the paper.

Do it, Charles.

Being upfront and honest is the only way to convince her that this will work.

“Remember, this is a special situation, and the only reason I’m sharing this with you is because we’ll be able to fool everyone else as long as we’re true to each other.”

Daisy’s eyes gleam with excitement as her gaze swings between me and the paper I slide across the coffee table. A second later, she picks it up and flips it side to side before reading through.

I watch her face, but she gives nothing away, and then finally, she bites her lip. I don’t know if it’s to hide her smile or if she’s just thinking deeply.

“Please don’t tell me this is how you spend your free time, Charles.” Her wide eyes finally meet mine, making me almost squirm in my seat. “Making doodles with hearts and flowers with your crush’s name on it would be better than dreaming about a fictional soulmate.”

“I was at Elixir after the board meeting, pretty pissed that the members were using my single status against me. My cousins joked that I should just hire a bride. They wrote a list of characteristics for the job description and you…fit none.” I trail off as her eyebrows rise and she opens and closes her mouth like a fish.

“Are you listening to yourself?” Daisy is already on her feet.

Dammit! I thought I was getting through to her. How did I screw this up already?

“If I was even considering being a part of this nonsense for a second, I don’t any longer. We’re doomed to fail from the start if you don’t think I’m right for the job. So, Mr. Hawthorne, sorry, but I reject the offer to be your wife.”

I’m stunned, rooted to my seat. But before she can make her escape, taking my dream of becoming the CEO with her, I discreetly lock the door using the safety button under the coffee table.

Daisy tries to force the door open, but it doesn’t budge. When she turns back to me, her eyes blaze with fury, making her look sexier and hotter than ever.

There’s only her and no one else—my perfectly imperfect match.