Page 18 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

"I wasn’t trying to push you away," I say, my voice quieter now.

"I just... I wasn’t good at socializing back then. Heck, I’m still not. I’m more of an introvert. It wasn’t personal."

Her eyes search mine for a moment, as if she’s trying to gauge the truth of my words.

I exhale, running a hand through my hair.

"Your presence has been... unsettling," I admit.

"But not in a bad way. At first, it threw me off but seeing you with Max..." I trail off, unsure how to say what I’m feeling.

"You’re good with him, Liz. He’s different when you’re around. Happier."

She blinks, her face softening a little.

"I didn’t mean to make things difficult for you, Nate."

"You didn’t," I quickly respond.

"And I’m sorry about today. I should not have yelled at you like that. I had a lot on my mind before I saw you at the park. Mysecretary... she betrayed me. Sold a deal I’ve been working on for months to my competitor."

Her expression changes, concern flickering across her face.

"Nate... I’m sorry. That’s terrible."

I shrug, trying to brush it off, even though it still stings.

"It’s behind me now. She is behind bars. But now I’ve got to figure out how to replace her, and... well, it’s not something I’m looking forward to."

After a beat of silence, Liz surprises me by saying,

"I could do it."

I stare at her, unsure if I heard her right.

"What?"

"I could be your secretary," she says, her tone serious.

"I mean, it’s better than sitting around all day doing nothing, or stewing over being annoyed with you. I came here to clear my head, but having a job might help. And I know I can be useful.”

For a moment, I assume she’s joking, but the look on her face tells me she’s not. I fold my arms, considering it.

"You’re serious?"

"Dead serious." She meets my gaze head-on, and something about the way she looks at me makes my pulse quicken. The fire in her eyes isn’t simply from the argument. It’s something deeper, something I’ve been trying to ignore ever since she showed up on my doorstep.

I hesitate, my mind racing. Liz is smart, capable. And most important, I trust her. If there’s one person I don’t have to worry about betraying me, it’s Liz. But working with her every day, seeing her, being around her—it unsettles me more than I care to admit.

"You’re not exactly little Liz anymore," I murmur, more to myself than to her.

She smirks, crossing her arms.

"No, I’m not. And that’s why I can help."

I find myself nodding before I even realize it. "Alright," I say, the word hanging in the air between us.

"You’re hired."

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