Page 56 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

As we eat, the conversation flows easily. We talk about everything and nothing, from work to childhood memories. She tells me about the time she got lost on a school field trip, and I share a story about Max’s first fishing trip, which ended with us both soaked and covered in seaweed.

The stars come out slowly, one by one, and Liz leans back on her elbows, gazing up at the sky.

“This is perfect,” she says softly, her voice almost lost to the sound of the waves.

I turn to her, my chest tightening. “You deserve perfect.”

She looks at me then, her expression unreadable. “I had no idea you paid so much attention. To me, I mean.”

I reach out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “How could I not? You’re impossible to ignore.”

Her breath catches, and for a moment, we just stare at each other. Slowly, I lean in, giving her plenty of time to pull away if she wants to.

She doesn’t.

Our lips meet, and the world seems to fade away. It’s not our first kiss, but it feels different—deeper, more certain.

When we finally pull apart, she’s smiling, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

“Thank you,” she whispers. “For everything.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” I say, my voice steady. “I just want to give you the best time and create memories with you.”

She leans her head against my shoulder, and we sit in silence, the waves lapping at the shore as the stars glitter above us.

Chapter thirteen

Liz

The first thing I notice is the smell—warm, comforting, like freshly brewed coffee and something sweet. I blink slowly, letting the soft morning light seep into my room. I stretch lazily, my body still blissfully relaxed from the beach outing last night.

The door creaks open, and my heart skips a beat when I see Nate standing there, balancing a tray with practiced ease.

“Good morning,” he says, his voice low and warm.

A smile spreads across my face as I push myself up on my elbows. “Good morning and what’s this?”

“Breakfast in bed,” he replies, stepping into the room. “I figured you deserved it after last night. We were out pretty late.”

He sets the tray down on the nightstand before leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. It’s so simple, yet it sends a warmth spreading through me.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, but I’m already eying the food. Scrambled eggs, toast, a few slices of bacon, and a cup of coffee—exactly how I like it.

“You should know by now,” he says, sitting on the edge of the bed, “I like doing things for you because you deserve to be treated like a queen.”

I laugh softly, shaking my head. “You’re definitely something.”

The past two days have been surreal. Nate has been thoughtful, attentive, and everything I didn’t know I needed. The way he’s opened up, the way he’s gone out of his way to make me feel special—it’s overwhelming in the best way possible.

As I pick up my fork, Nate leans back slightly, watching me with a small smile. “Eat up. I have something planned for today.”

I raise an eyebrow. “More surprises?”

He smirks. “Not quite. Max and I usually go paddleboarding or kayaking once a month. I thought you might want to join us this time.”

I nearly choke on my coffee. “Paddleboarding? Me?”

“You’ll be fine,” he says, his tone teasing. “It’s supposed to help you unwind.”

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