Page 9 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

"That’s awesome, buddy. Tell me all about it."

As we drive home, Max chatters nonstop about his day - how he aced a math quiz, played a new game at recess, and how Boomer is going to love the new toy he made in art class. I nod along, trying to focus, but my mind keeps drifting back to the failed deal. The betrayal gnaws at me, festering beneath the surface.

We pull into the driveway, and I glance in the rearview mirror. Max is singing to himself now, completely unaware of the storm brewing in my head. I turn off the engine and take a deep breath. This is my time with him. I can’t let work poison it.

Inside, Boomer greets us, tail wagging, barking in excitement. Max runs ahead, already down on the floor playing with the dog. I follow behind, trying to shake the weight of the day off my shoulders.

But then I hear it—laughter. From the kitchen.

Curious, I head toward the sound. What I find stops me in my tracks. Liz and Sue, my housekeeper, are standing at the counter, chopping vegetables. They are laughing like no time has passed between them. Liz is smiling wide, her face glowing in the soft kitchen light. I hadn’t expected her to look so... at home. The sight knocks the air from my lungs.

I had almost forgotten how close Liz was to Sue. Sue Westerly had worked for my mother, raising me as much as my own parents did. She’s been like a second mother to me and, by extension, to Liz too.

Max races into the kitchen, arms wide as he hugs both Sue and Liz.

"Liz! You’re still here!" he says, eyes shining with excitement.

"Of course I’m here, buddy." Liz teases, her voice playful.

I stand in the doorway, watching them, a strange mix of emotions tightening my chest. She fits here ... too well. And it's clear that Max adores her. It’s unsettling.

Sue glances up at me, her smile knowing.

"I’ve got everything covered here, Nate. You can go back to work."

"Thanks, Sue," I manage to say, though my voice sounds distant even to me. Max is already pulling Liz toward the dining table, eager to show her something. And I’m left standing there, feeling like I’m on the outside looking in.

I bend down to kiss Max’s forehead, ruffling his hair.

"I’ll be back later, buddy."

"You’re leaving?" Max asks, his face falling before he brightens.

"Oh! But Liz is here, so it’s okay!"

I chuckle, despite the chaos in my head.

"Yeah, I’ll be back soon."

As I head back out to the car, my thoughts swirl. Liz, in my kitchen, laughing with Sue, playing with Max, it all feels so... right. Too right. And that scares me more than I care to admit.

As I drive back to the office, my phone buzzes, and the car’s Bluetooth makes the connection. Bryan’s name flashes on the screen. I sigh, knowing exactly what’s coming.

“Hey, man,” I answer, trying to keep my voice steady, though the tension is eating away at me.

"Hey,"

“Nate, what’s going on?” Bryan’s voice is casual, but I can already hear the curiosity in his words.

“Okay there is something up. Is it Liz? Is she bothering you? I know she can be a handful…”

I grip the steering wheel tighter, feeling the familiar twist in my chest at the mention of Liz.

“She hasn't caused me any trouble. Max is... thrilled she’s around,” I reply. I keep it short, even though my head’s still spinning from seeing Liz in my kitchen, laughing and fitting into my life way too easily.

Bryan pauses for a beat, and I know he can sense something’s off. He’s known me too long.

“Alright, man. Spill it. I can tell something’s wrong. You sound like you’re ready to blow a gasket.”

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