Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

“How about the Hawthorne Heritage Room in the town hall?”

“That will do.” I nod. At least that way, no strangers will be lurking in my office.

For the first time, there’s a grin on Jimmy’s face as he leaves the room. He pauses with his hand on the doorknob and looks back at me.

“You won’t regret this, Charles. I promise.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m actually looking forward to opening our office in Cherrywood, Charles.” Vincent Beaumont’s smile widens on my computer screen.

“I’m thankful you gave Hawthorne Holdings a chance.”

“Your sister didn’t leave me much choice. She can be very persuasive, by the way.” Vincent’s gaze shifts to Daisy as she steps into the camera’s view. “Where were you hiding, beautiful?”

My hands ball into fists at him referring to my assistant so informally. But Vincent is not just a client, he’s also my sister, Chloe’s, friend.

“Hi, Mr. Beaumont,” Daisy responds with a giggle. “I was right here, listening to that cute French accent of yours.”

My eyes narrow into slits as I focus on the woman beside me. But she simply shrugs while Vincent’s laugh fills the room through the speakers.

“I’m sure you’ll hear it in person when I visit Cherrywood, ma belle. Maybe I’ll convince Chloe to join me.”

“If you can bring my sister home, you’ll be my favorite man.” I forget my temporary irritation toward the man.

After the call ends, I pivot my chair to face Daisy as she efficiently moves the Post-it of CALL WITH VINCENT into the row of completed tasks.

“What the fuck was that?”

“What was what?” Daisy’s eyebrow arches as she meets my gaze. The playful grin she wore during the call has vanished.

“Your comment about Vincent’s accent. He’s a client, not your friend. It’s unprofessional.”

“He didn’t seem to mind.”

“Of course he didn’t. When you throw yourself at him like that, why would he mind?”

“Are you serious right now? I didn’t throw myself at anyone. If I had, your computer screen might not have survived.”

“You find this funny?”

“How dare I do such a thing?” When I don’t respond to her dramatic gasp, she sighs. “I know he believes his accent is sexy, and I just complimented him on it so he leaves the meeting in a happy mood.”

“His accent is sexy?” I lean back in my seat, and unlike hers, my surprise is one hundred percent original.

Daisy drops the papers she just collected, her palms flat on the glass table. Instead of backing away, she leans forward, looking right into my eyes.

“I said, he believes his accent is sexy. I know how much you love twisting others’ words to your advantage, Charles A. Hawthorne. It might impress people in a boardroom, when you’re winning an argument being like a bossy alpha book boyfriend, but don’t you dare try that with me.”

I file away her “bossy alpha book boyfriend” remark for later and mimic her stance. My hands are a sliver away from hers, and when I lean in, I catch a whiff of her delicate perfume, making my pulse jump.

“Are you secretly consulting with Vincent to learn his thoughts and opinions?”

She gulps, eyes widening. I hold her gaze as she struggles to put the smile back on her face, and finally, after a few successful attempts, she wins.

“Are you feeling jealous?”

The last word rolls in her mouth. She speaks it at a snail’s pace, as if savoring it. I watch the way her tongue brushes against her upper lip before resettling at its place.

For a brief moment, I feel a pang of exactly the emotion she assumed—jealousy. I hate that she spent her time collecting personal insights about a client instead of thinking about me.