Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

Every time she calls me that, Daisy claws away some ice around my chest with her tiny hands and leaves a bit of warmth inside me.

“I don’t know the meaning of that word.”

“Of course you don’t.” As always, she calls me on my bullshit. “But Buffay is a good person—a loyal business partner to Hawthorne Holdings and a good family man to his wife and kids. Give him one more chance. Please, Charles.”

“There are no second chances in business.” All my life, I’ve followed this rule and it has served me right. Plus, Buffay not only caused me loss in business but also put my wife’s safety at risk.

“This morning, you mentioned you’ve made exceptions for me,” Daisy whispers, pulling me away from risky thoughts. “Can I not have one more?”

How the hell does one say no to that?

I fold my hands together, bringing them close to my face, my index fingers resting over my bottom lip. “Only if you promise to think about what we discussed this morning.”

Her eyes flutter closed. “Believe me, I haven’t stopped thinking about it for a minute.”

20

THIS IS MAGICAL

DAISY

“Who else will be here?” I ask Charles as Steve parks outside a beautiful house in St. Peppers.

“The usual gang. Mom, Dad, and Chloe. My cousins and their parents, and of course our hosts, my grandparents.”

“Do you all hang out together often?” I can’t stop my questions, nervousness getting the best of me as Charles leads me up the stone walkway leading to the patio.

“To be honest, more than we should.”

My feet come to a halt. “And everyone shows up?”

He nods, an amused smile on his lips as he raises an eyebrow, possibly wondering why I’m so fascinated with something as mundane as everyone’s attendance at a family dinner.

But I still can’t get over it and glance at him. Charles finally realizes I expect more than a nod.

“My grandparents missed out on a lot in life due to misunderstandings, and now they want to embrace every bit of family love. They host weekly dinners whenever they’re in town and not off globe-trotting.”

“Wow! That’s…so magical.”

He raises his eyebrow farther, his grin deepening at my expense.

“Okay, so maybe not magical, per se. But for someone who never had much family except my parents, Aunt Mel and her husband, it’s not normal.” A knot tightens in my chest.

How was it to be surrounded by the love of such a big family?

“What about cousins?” Charles asks softly as we stand by the door, in no hurry to walk in.

I shrug. “I don’t have any.”

“I’d never admit it to their faces, but I can’t imagine living without my cousins. They’re my best friends, my biggest confidants, and I know I can count on them for anything.”

“I understand completely. I think I cashed in all of my luck in the friends department. Even though we’re not related by blood, Willow, Elodie, and Violet feel no less than sisters to me.”

I’m interrupted when the main door opens softly.

“I thought I heard someone. Welcome, you two.” A woman with shiny white hair and wrinkles around her eyes steps out and places a kiss on my forehead.

There’s so much affection in her face that I feel a sting behind my eyelids as memories of Mom hit me out of nowhere.