Page 14 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

“Sure, buddy. Let’s go for a walk.”

Max beams at me, his face lighting up as if I’ve single-handedly made his day. He snaps Boomer’s leash into place, and before I know it, the three of us are out the door, heading toward the nearby park.

The crisp morning air is refreshing, and for the first time in a while, I feel... content. It’s strange how easy it feels to be here, to be part of this little routine with Max and Boomer. There’s something comforting about the simplicity of it, the way Max’s small hand finds mine as we cross the street. His bright chatter fills the air.

Boomer, with his boundless energy, pulls ahead. His tail wags in excitement as we approach the park. Max runs beside him, his laughter echoing through the quiet morning, and I can’t help but smile at the scene.

At the park, Max races toward the playground as Boomer trails behind him with just as much enthusiasm. I find a bench nearby, sitting down and watching as Max and Boomer play together. Max climbs onto the slide, pretending he is a superhero while Boomer awaits at the bottom, barking in encouragement.

This is so... normal. So different from the life I left behind.

I contemplate the chaos of my breakup. There was such constant pressure to be someone I wasn’t. I realize I was the one suffocating under the feeling of trying to please a man who never really saw me. It all seems so distant now. Being here, with Max, in Nate’s world, is like stepping into a completely different life. And this one is simple, warm, and somehow soothing.

I laugh as Max slides down, landing with a dramatic thud on the grass before racing back up to do it all over again. His carefree attitude is contagious, and I realize how much better I feel. The weight of everything that’s happened before feels lighter here.

But then, I remind myself, this is temporary.

This isn’t my life. This is Nate’s life. Nate and Max’s world. I know that I’m just passing through, like a visitor who will soon move on.

“Liz!” Max calls out, interrupting my thoughts. “Can we get ice cream?”

I blink, surprised, and glance around. There’s a small ice cream stand across the park, the vendor already setting up for the day. Max’s hopeful face is almost impossible to resist, and I can't help but chuckle.

“Sure.” I say, standing up and walking with him toward the stand.

“Let’s get you some ice cream.”

Max immediately points to the most colorful option - a rainbow swirl of sugar that looks like it’s made of pure happiness.

“One rainbow swirl for the little man,” I tell the vendor, handing over a few bills.

As we wait for the ice cream, Max tugs on my sleeve, his face serious.

“Do you like it here, Liz? I mean, staying with me and Dad?”

The question catches me off guard, and I take a moment before answering.

“I do, Max. I really do. It’s been... nice.”

He grins, accepting the ice cream from the vendor and taking a big bite. His face scrunches up from the cold, but he quickly recovers, his smile even wider than before.

“Good. I like having you here. Boomer likes it too.”

My heart tugs at his words, and for a second, I feel that familiar ache. I like being here too, more than I thought I would. But I can’t let myself get too comfortable. This isn’t forever.

“Thanks, Max. That means a lot.” I ruffle his hair, earning a giggle as he licks his ice cream with gusto.

We make our way back to the bench, sitting down while Max finishes his treat. Boomer flops down at our feet, exhausted from his enthusiastic playtime. The park is quiet, with only a few other people milling about, and for a moment, everything feels... perfect.

I glance down at Max, who’s now chattering away about his day at school yesterday. He's telling me about how he built a new toy in art class and how he’s going to show it to Boomer when we get back. His excitement is infectious, and I find myself laughing along with him, hanging on his every word.

It’s so easy to fall into this rhythm with Max, to enjoy the simplicity of the moment. It’s almost too easy.

But I remind myself again this is temporary. I don’t belong here, no matter how much I wish things were different. This isn’t my family, and I can’t let myself forget that.

Max runs ahead with Boomer, his laughter echoing through the park. I smile to myself, watching him, feeling a warmth spread through me that I haven’t felt in a long time.

Being here, with Max, feels right. But I know it’s not forever.

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