Page 19 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

She smiles and darned it if it doesn’t send a wave of heat through me. I remind myselfboundaries, Nate. But as she stands there her eyes remain locked on mine. I can’t help but wonder how long I’ll be able to keep those boundaries intact.

Chapter five

Liz

I sit in the passenger seat, the hum of the engine the only sound as we drive through the sleepy streets of Ocean Bay. It’s Monday morning, and I’m heading to work with Nate. It still feels surreal to even think that I am actually working with Nate Kingston. He's my brother’s best friend, the man who has somehow become this enigma in my life.

I steal a glance at him from the corner of my eye. He’s in a black suit today. The crisp white shirt underneath highlights the broadness of his shoulders. He's clenching his jaw as usual. But what I notice most is the hint of stubble on his chin. It adds an extra layer of ruggedness to his already striking features. The man is just. plain. gorgeous. And I can’t seem to look away.

It’s ridiculous, really. I should focus on how this new job is going to play out, or on my to-do list for the day. But here I am, wondering if it’s a terrible idea to be working so close to him.

How am I supposed to function when the mere sight of him in a suit makes my heart race? I steal another glance, hoping hedoesn’t notice. His hands grip the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles pale. I wonder what’s going through his mind.

It's probably not the same thing that’s running through mine, that’s for sure.

We pull up in front of Max’s school, and I turn to watch as he clambers out of the backseat. He’s his usual grumpy self, his brow furrowed, and his little mouth set in a pout. It’s a stark contrast to the cheerful kid I spend my days with, and I have to stifle a laugh. Mornings are definitely not Max’s thing.

"Have a good day, Max," I say, trying to brighten the mood as he trudges toward the school gates. He merely gives a half-hearted wave without looking back. I can’t help but smile at the stubbornness he shares with his father.

Once Max is inside, the silence in the car feels louder somehow. I glance over at Nate again, trying to figure out what to say. The air between us is thick with something I can’t quite place. Tension, maybe? Or just... awkwardness?

I clear my throat.

"I never got to thank you properly... for giving me this job," I say, keeping my voice light. "It means a lot."

Nate’s eyes remain fixed on the road, his expression as stoic as ever.

"It’s a risk," he mutters, almost more to himself than to me. "I don’t even know what you’re qualified for."

I bristle a little at that, but I remind myself that this is who he is. He's grumpy, guarded, and always bracing for the worst.

"Well, lucky for you, I’ve got a decent amount of experience," I say, trying to inject some humor into my voice.

"I’ve worked as a personal assistant before, and trust me, I’m more than capable of handling whatever you throw at me."

Nate glances at me for a brief second, his brow raising ever so slightly.

"We’ll see."

I should be offended, but instead, I feel... intrigued. His skepticism doesn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. If anything, it makes me want to prove him wrong, to crack that hard exterior of his. I smirk, deciding to tease him a little.

"Was that almost a smile I saw just now?"

Nate’s lips twitch, but he quickly schools his expression back to its usual blank slate.

"You’re imagining things."

I chuckle, feeling oddly triumphant. Even the tiniest hint of a smile from Nate feels like a win. Maybe this whole thing won’t be so bad after all. He is grumpy, sure, but there’s something about the way his stern facade falters every now and then. It makes me wonder what he’s hiding beneath all that broodiness. And then I see his pure joy when he’s with Max. It shows me yet another side of his personality – maybe the truest one that he has buried somewhere.

As we pull into the parking lot of his office, I’m awestruck. His building isn’t massive, but it’s sleek, modern—classy. It’s the kind of place one would expect from someone as meticulous as Nate.

"Wow," I say, glancing up at the glass exterior. "This is... impressive."

Nate cuts the engine and glances at me, one brow raised.

"What were you expecting? That nothing’s changed in seven years?"

I laugh, shaking my head.

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