Page 61 of Imperfect Match

Focus, Charles. This is like any other business transaction you’ve been a part of.

She got what she wanted—or what she needed—and you’re getting what you need.

But when she tries to place her father’s ring on my finger, the feeling that hits my chest isn’t the usual excitement of winning a deal. Her hands tremble and I fear she’ll drop the golden band.

“Here, sweetheart.” The endearment rolls from my lips as I hold the ring and help her.

Her kohl-lined eyes are wide as they meet mine before drifting to the minister. Those brown orbs return to me as if confirming she understands that everything happening this evening is fake.

I hate that once again I’m a clown in the hands of the public.

“You may kiss the bride.”

It’s not like I haven’t thought of this moment in the last few days, but what I never imagined was the subtle hint of her familiar floral perfume as I leaned in, or the way her chest would rise and fall. Everything is a reminder that in this huge gathering at Hawthorne gardens, there’s still one truth, and that’s my bride.

Her love for her dad and her being worried about me enough to marry me.

And I can’t fucking tarnish that.

My lips stop before they can make contact with her trembling ones. Eyes closed, Daisy looks like a sacrificial virgin.

Possessiveness roars inside my chest, and my usual instinct to find immediate safety extends to her. I want to protect her and keep her away from all the eyes that have been judging her for the past few weeks and will continue to do so after today, and even years later when we split up.

I tip her chin up and turn to the side. The back of my head covers us from prying eyes as I place a kiss on her cheek, right at the corner of her lips. Her eyes open, and instead of nerves, they now shine with confusion.

Of course she’s confused, you fool!

It’s not that I’ve given her many reasons to trust me.

But I’m not prepared for the blazing emotions that swirl in her gaze the next instant, as if she’d rather see me in a casket right now than next to her at the altar.

My cousins continue to hoot as I navigate my new bride along the dance floor. My palm grazes over the crystals on her dress, which shine as if stars have come down to earth tonight. When I tug her closer, she’s stiffer than a washboard. Thinking she doesn’t like the contact, I move away.

“You can touch me. I’m not that contagious.” Her teeth grit.

That’s the first and last thing Daisy says to me throughout the ceremony. She continues to smile for our families, the cameras, and even the creepy reporters, but it’s me she has difficulty looking in the eye.

Is she realizing that this deal doesn’t work for her?

Too bad. She’s already Mrs. Charles Hawthorne.

When we’re finally alone in the car and I have my chance to ask Daisy what’s up with her mood, my sister slides in.

“Don’t make such a sad face, Charlie. It’s not like you don’t see Daisy every day in the office.” Chloe wrinkles her nose playfully, giving me a mock-serious look.

My sister has had me wrapped around her little finger since the day she was born, and I’m more than happy to oblige to her demands, even if I don’t always show it.

“Are you here because you expect me to thank you for coming home in a rush and possibly losing a hell of a lot of money for canceling contracts last minute?” I tip my head to the side.

There might be almost a decade age gap between us, but my little sister is an icon in the fashion world. What started as a hobby when she used to help my dad’s sister, Aunt Clementine, at her work, transformed into a career.

Chloe Hawthorne isn’t just one of the leading fashion designers in the world, but also one of the top models.

“I could go bankrupt, but I’d never miss my brother’s wedding.” She grins and even Daisy snorts at her.

“You are the last person who could go bankrupt, Chloe.” My wife’s smile is still in place, maybe because she hasn’t looked at me, her happiness buster, since the car started. “I can’t believe you made my wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses in such a short time.”

“Don’t worry. I had some excellent help. Plus, I don’t plan to do anything except eat and sleep for the next week.”

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