Page 3 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

Because whether I like it or not, Nate Kingston is even more attractive now than he was back in high school. And despite my better judgment, I can’t help but feel a pull toward him. It’s ridiculous. I should be over this by now. I should focus on myown life and problems. But here I am, in his house, feeling things that I shouldn't.

Liz, shake it off. You know you can totally handle this. Right?

I need time to get my feet back under me after that disaster of a relationship I once had.

After all, I didn’t come back to Ocean Bay to find romance. I came back to avoid it.

***

A soft rustle pulls me from the haze of sleep. My eyes flutter open, the light filtering through unfamiliar curtains. I blink, trying to orient myself as I try to sit up. It takes only a few seconds for me to figure out I had slept late. I hear a rustle at the end of the bed.

There stands a little boy, wide-eyed, clutching a stuffed dinosaur to his chest. His sandy blond hair is a tousled mess, and with those deep blue eyes, there's no mistaking whose replica he is - Nate's.

The little boy watches me with a wary expression, his fingers gripping the toy as if it’s his lifeline.

I push myself up on my elbows, offering a sleepy smile.

"Hey there." My voice is gentle, still thick from sleep.

The little boy hesitates for a second. His eyes dart toward the door as though he’s about to flee; then returns his gaze to me.

"Hi." His voice is soft as his beautiful eyes watch me.

"Are you a friend of my dad?"

Smoothing down my hair, I sit up, offering him a nod.

"Something like that. I’m Liz." His striking resemblance to Nate pulls at me, especially the deep blue eyes.

"You must be Max."

He relaxes a little, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Yeah," he confirms, glancing at a scruffy dog sitting obediently beside him.

"And this is Boomer."

I chuckle at the sight of the dog. Its tail thumps the floor, clearly thrilled to be in the mix.

"Looks like a good dog," I muse, my eyes briefly meeting Boomer’s curious gaze.

Before either of us can say more, a voice floats down the hallway, playful and louder than I expected.

"Max, where are you? I’m coming to find you!"

Max’s eyes widen, and without a word, he presses a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. He scurries behind the heavy curtains, pulling Boomer along with him. The fabric barely hides their obvious hiding spot as the dog’s tail sticks out, wagging excitedly.

I bite back a laugh, adjusting the blanket to cover my amusement as Nate appears in the doorway. His brow furrows as his gaze scans the room, lingering on the ruffled curtains before landing on me.

"Hey," he greets me, his tone casual but slightly suspicious. His eyes flit back to the curtains, obvious to Max’s not-so-hidden hiding spot.

I meet his gaze, keeping my expression neutral.

"Looking for something?"

Nate steps into the room, his movements slow, almost calculated.

"You haven’t seen Max and Boomer, have you?" His voice is playful, but there’s a knowing look in his eyes.

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