Page 27 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

Max finishes his food, pushing his plate away with a contented sigh. “That was so good, Liz!” he says, grinning.

Liz smiles, ruffling his hair again. “Glad you liked it, buddy.”

He turns to me, his face glowing with that kind of joy only kids can have. “Dad, wasn’t it the best?”

I nod, offering a tight smile.

“Yeah, buddy. It was great.” But my mind is far from here. I can’t stop thinking about what Max said. About Liz. And about how dangerously comfortable this all feels.

After dinner, Max runs off to play, leaving Liz and me alone in the kitchen. I can feel her eyes on me, waiting for me to say something. But I can’t. I don’t trust myself to speak.

“I’ll take care of the dishes,” Liz offers, standing up and moving toward the sink.

I shake my head. “No, I’ll handle it.”

She pauses, looking at me with those eyes that always seem to see right through me.

“You sure? I don’t mind—”

“I’ve got it, and thanks for dinner,” I say, my voice a little rougher than I intend.

“Okay, well… you’re welcome,” she murmurs, uncertainty in her tone.

Liz leans against the counter, crossing her arms as she looks at me. There’s a softness in her gaze, a quiet concern. “You okay?”

I nod automatically.

“Yeah... just a lot on my mind.”

“Anything you want to talk about?” she asks, her voice full of understanding.

I shake my head again.

“No... it’s just... stuff.”

She doesn’t push, but she doesn’t leave either. She lingers, watching me, and for a moment, I realize how perfectly she fits into our lives. And yet, tonight, everything feels like it’s hanging by a thread.

“I’ll go check on Max,” she finally says, breaking the silence as she walks out of the kitchen.

As soon as she’s gone, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. This needs to stop. I need to stop letting her get under my skin, stop letting my guard down. Max may be attached to her, but I can’t let this go any further.

For his sake. For mine.

I need to keep things in check. If I don’t, I’m risking everything. And I can’t afford to let that happen.

As I clean up the kitchen, I can’t shake the image of Liz’s face, her smile, the way she fits so effortlessly into our lives. It’s too easy. Too comfortable.

And that’s why it has to end. Before it’s too late.

Moreover, Becky’s back. And nothing good ever follows her.

Chapter seven

Liz

I nod, taking a deep breath, knowing I need to do something about this tension that’s been hanging between Nate and me. Ever since last week, he has been distant, closed off, as if there’s something heavy weighing on him. I’ve seen him this way at work before, but never around me, never at home. And the fact that he is skipping lunch only makes me worry more.

At his desk, typing away, he looks like he’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders. I cannot stand it anymore. I know something is bothering him, but I can’t quite figure out what. And honestly? It’s bugging me that it’s bugging me so much.

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