Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

“It’s not the time but the day.” She rolls her eyes and mutters a few expletives as she usually does when I’m being extra difficult. “Do you know my parents celebrated three anniversaries every year?”

“I don’t understand.”

“The day Dad saw Mom the first time—love at first sight. The day he took her out on their first date—finding their soulmate. And the day they finally got married—starting their happily ever after. They did that every year.”

“It’s…something.” And too much work.

Is she expecting this from me too?

The day she nicknamed me Charles Asshole Hawthorne.

The day I made her the proposition of a fake wedding.

The day we fooled our family and friends.

“You can relax that tensed jaw, Charles. I’m just remembering my mom on this day. Another interesting fact—my parents never had any meals without the other.”

“And what if they were in different towns? Don’t tell me that never happened.”

“Of course not, silly. But there’s something called the telephone.”

“And what if one of them was invited to a lunch or dinner individually?”

Why the hell am I so adamant on proving to her that what her parents did or had isn’t practical for most people?

As if the same question is running through her mind, Daisy raises an eyebrow. “Who knows better than you that invitations can be avoided or adjusted to what one wants?”

I can’t hide my smile this time. “Touché, my dear wife.”

Her eyes widen at the title that rolled off my tongue without a second thought, but when I make no big deal out of it, her smile slowly returns.

“What I’m trying to say is that I thought my life would turn out like theirs. I might not be the most professionally ambitious person in a room, but I wanted to be formidable in love.”

My heart stops at the shine in her eyes. Her life expectations are completely opposite of mine. I’m downright scared of love, and since fear has no space in my life, I scraped everything away that ignited that feeling.

Once again, it becomes clear that ours is the most imperfect match.

“Thank you for coming to my talk and taking time away from your billion-dollar business.” Daisy finally gets up from the couch, her wedding dress making a rustling sound as she moves.

“If I didn’t have time for my wife on our wedding day, I’m sure I’d top the Worst Husband of the Year list. I’m happy being in third or fourth place.”

“So, there’s somewhere Charles Hawthorne doesn’t like being on top?”

“It appears so, my dear wife.”

I stay on the couch, legs crossed, and enjoy the way her cheeks turn pink, the only indication she gives that the nickname affects her somehow.

“Good to know.” Daisy’s voice shakes before she clears her throat. “Since sleeping in separate rooms isn’t an option, what’s the plan, boss?”

“You take the bed and I’ll take the couch.” I’ve thought about this the whole week, and that’s the easiest solution, even though allowing someone in my personal space is anything but easy. But this is Daisy, a person who has never been just someone.

“You’ll hear no arguments from this obedient assistant.” Flashing another smile, Daisy goes for her bags while I chuckle.

“Half of the closet space is for you.”

Her brows pull together, and she discards the half-opened zipper of her bag and stands tall.

“I asked the staff to leave your bags as they were in case you don’t like others touching your stuff.”