Page 31 of Nate

She carried the phone to the bedroom, undressed, and entered the bathroom. She placed the phone on the counter, then turned the shower on and stepped inside. The hot water felt wonderful, and she hoped the weather would turn warm again. Afterall, it was May.

“Damn, Mom’s birthday party would be here before long. That man better stay the hell away from me. I will knee him in the balls again.”

After her shower, she pulled on a T-shirt and lounge pants, picked up her phone and headed for the sofa. Taking a seat, she picked up the remote, turned the TV on and continued to stare at her phone.

“Come on, Marjorie Ann. You can do this.”

Taking a deep breath, she found his number in her phone and pushed send. It rang several times before his deep voice came on the line.

“Jefferson.”

“Uh, Nate?”

“Yeah?”

“This is… Markie. Markie Russell.”

“Just what can I do for you, Dr. Russell?”

Markie sighed. “Come for dinner tomorrow night. Unless you have a date. I wouldn’t expect you to break a date just to come to dinner at such late notice, but if you’re free, I’d love to have you come to dinner.”God! Stop rambling!When he didn’t say anything, she frowned and wondered if he’d hung up. “Nate?”

“Yeah, I’m here. Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why are you asking me to dinner?”

“To make up for being a bitch.” She smiled when she heard him chuckle.

“Might take more than dinner for that.”

Markie gasped. “Damn, Jefferson, say what you think.”

“I usually do.” His sigh came across the phone. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes. I made a mess of things with you, and you didn’t deserve it. I’d… I’d like to get to know you. If you’d rather not—”

“What time?”

“Six, if that works for you.”

“That’s fine. Send me your address.”

“I live above the hospital. The steps are on the side of the building in the alley.”

“Convenient. Alright. I’ll see you then.”

“You don’t have a date?”Damn, Markie!

“If I did, I would have turned you down. I’ll see you then.” He hung up.

Markie placed her phone on the arm of the sofa and couldn’t keep the smile off her face, then she picked it back up and called Sydney.

“He’s coming for dinner,” Markie said when she answered.

“Really? That’s great. It looks like he’s willing to get over it.”

“I hope so. Now, I have to figure out what to make. I wonder what he likes?”

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