Page 50 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

Sue shrugs. “He said something about the project being behind schedule. You know how he is. Always working.”

I nod slowly, my appetite fading. Of course, he went to work. It makes sense. The marina project has been consuming him lately, especially after the mess with his former assistant. But something about it doesn’t sit right.

“I should call him,” I say, setting my fork down. “Maybe I can help.”

Sue raises an eyebrow. “On your day off?”

I shrug. “It’s not like I have big plans.”

She doesn’t argue, and I head to the living room, phone in hand. Dialing Nate’s number feels oddly nerve-wracking, but I ignore the unease and press the call button.

It rings twice before someone picks up—but it’s not Nate.

“Hello?” Becky’s voice is sweet, almost saccharine, and it sends a chill down my spine.

For a moment, I’m too stunned to speak. “Becky?” I finally manage, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Liz,” she says, her tone dripping with faux surprise. “What a lovely surprise. How can I help you?”

I clench my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. “I need to speak with Nate.”

“Oh, he’s busy at the moment,” she says lightly. “But I can give him a message if it’s important.”

My stomach twists, and my grip on the phone tightens. “Busy with what?”

Becky lets out a soft laugh, the kind that makes my blood boil. “We’re having coffee. At my place. He’s such a sweetheart, really. Came by to help me with a little... project.”

Every word feels like a dagger.

“I see,” I say, keeping my tone neutral despite the storm brewing inside me. “Can you tell him I called?”

“Of course,” Becky says sweetly. Then, as if she can’t resist twisting the knife, she adds, “Oh, and don’t worry about Max. Nate said he’d pick him up later for our little family picnic. Isn’t that just adorable?”

The air leaves my lungs, and for a moment, I can’t breathe. “Tell Nate I called,” I say again, my voice clipped.

“Will do, darling,” Becky says, her tone smug.

I hang up before she can say another word, my hands trembling.

I sit there for a moment, staring at the phone in my lap. The anger comes first, burning hot and fierce. How could he? After everything, after last night...

But then the anger fades, replaced by something heavier, something that feels a lot like heartbreak.

"Liz, is everything okay?" Sue asks making me force a smile.

"Yes, everything is fine,"

I stand abruptly, muttering an excuse to Sue and Max before heading upstairs. Once I’m in my room, I close the door and lean against it, my chest heaving as I fight back tears.

I told myself I wouldn’t get attached. I promised myself I wouldn’t let him in. But somewhere along the way, Nate Kingston became more than just my boss, more than Bryan’s best friend. He became... everything.

The tears come then, hot and unrelenting, spilling over before I can stop them. I sink onto the edge of the bed, my head in my hands, the weight of it all crushing me.

I don’t know how long I sit there, but by the time I lift my head, my resolve has hardened.

I can’t do this anymore. I can’t stay here, torturing myself with what can never be. Nate has made his choice, and it’s clear that choice isn’t me.

I grab my phone and open my messages, typing out a quick text to Bryan:

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