Page 23 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

I shrug, turning away from the window. "I’m busy," I mutter, avoiding her eyes. It’s a lie, of course. I’m not busy. I’ve been standing here, watching.

Sue chuckles.

"You’re not fooling me, Nate." She leans against the counter, her eyes twinkling with that motherly look she’s always had for me. "I always knew Liz would grow into a wonderful woman."

Her words catch me off guard, and before I can stop myself, I say, "It’s... unbelievable how much she’s grown." My voice is softer than I intend, and I mentally kick myself for how easily the words slip out.

Sue looks at me for a moment, her smile deepening as if she knows exactly what’s going on in my head.

"She has grown," she agrees, nodding. "And she’s done quite well for herself."

I don’t respond. Instead, I turn back to the window, watching Liz chase Max around the yard. The way she moves, the sound of her laughter it’s all been... distracting. In the best and worst ways. Working with her this past week has been a challenge.

Not because she’s terrible at her job—far from it. She’s been incredible. She's jumped in wherever needed, helping with Max, and being the kind of support I never knew I craved. But it’s the way she looks. The way she smiles. The way she’s always there, right in front of me, making it damn near impossible to concentrate.

Sue’s voice breaks through my thoughts. "Is that why you can’t take your eyes off her?"

I whip my head around, frowning. "What are you talking about?"

Sue lets out a soft laugh, shaking her head like she’s talking to a clueless child.

"Oh, Nate. You can pretend all you want, but I’ve seen the way you look at her. Like a man looks at a woman."

"I don’t—" I start, but she cuts me off.

"You do," she says firmly. "You’ve been staring at her like that for days. Don’t think I haven’t noticed."

My jaw tightens, and I force a scoff.

"She’s like a little sister."

Sue raises an eyebrow, her knowing smile still in place. "Is that what you’ve been telling yourself?"

I cross my arms over my chest, shaking my head. "She’s off-limits, Sue. Whatever idea you think you’re seeing doesn’t exist."

Sue doesn’t argue. She simply smiles that infuriatingly calm smile and says, "When it comes to love, rules tend to break."

I blink, startled by the word. Love? No. I’m not cut out for that anymore. I’ve been there. I’ve done that. And it broke me.

"You know that’s not happening," I mutter. "I’m not cut out for love anymore."

Sue shakes her head and her eyes twinkling with something I can’t quite place.

"Never say never, Nate. It has been a long time since Becky left. Maybe it’s time to live again."

I open my mouth to argue, but the sound of the doorbell cuts me off. Sue glances toward the front of the house, her brow furrowing.

"Are you expecting someone?"

I shake my head. "No."

I move toward the door, grateful for the interruption. Anything to end this conversation. As I pull open the door, the words die in my throat.

Standing on my doorstep, with that same sharp, calculating smile I remember all too well, is the last person I expect to see — Becky.

My ex-wife. The woman who walked out of my life four years ago without a second glance, without even looking back at her son.

For a moment, I don’t even know what to say. She looks exactly the same. Same long, blonde hair styled perfectly, the same high-end clothes that scream privilege. Nothing has changed about her. Nothing at all.

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