Page 33 of Nate

“Sure.” She laughed again.

“How’s Brody?”

“He’s great.”

“Tell him I said hello.”

“I will. Do you want this in paper?”

“No, thanks. I’m just going across the street.” Nate grinned as he paid her.

“Okay. Have a nice evening.”

“I’m hoping to. You do the same.”

“Bye, Nate.”

Nate touched his hat, picked up the flower, and strode out of the building. It was six by the time he walked up the stairs to the door. Damn, he hoped this evening went well and they could get past what happened between them. Not the sex. Hell, he’d love that again, but he wasn’t going to pressure her. He just wanted her to get past thinking he was like her mother’s husband. But he realized she must be past it since she invited him to dinner. He hoped so anyway. There was a lot of heat between them and even against a wall, it had been the hottest sex he’d ever had.

Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door. When it opened, they stared at each other.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hi.” He handed her the carnation.

“Thank you. Please, come in.” She opened the door wider.

He removed his hat, wiped his feet on the welcome mat, then entered the apartment. The smell of food was making him salivate. He looked around and hung his hat on a hook beside the door.

“Something smells good. Besides you,” he said when he looked at her, then grinned when she blushed.

“It’s chicken and rice. I hope you like it.”

“I’m sure I will.”

“I’ll put this in some water. Have a seat.”

Nate glanced around. “This is a nice place. I’ve never been here, but I remember when Tess lived here.”

“Yes, I like it.”

His eyes skimmed down her red T-shirt and tight jeans. On her feet were white flip-flops and her nails were painted red to match her shirt and it was sexy as hell.

“You’re a beautiful woman, Dr. Russell.”

Markie frowned at him. “You’re not going to call me that all night, are you?”

He raised his eyebrows. “Am I staying all night?”

“You know what I meant.”

He grinned. “No, I won’t call you Dr. Russell all night. No matter how long the night is.”

“I think you’re going to be hard to handle, Nate Jefferson.”

“We’ll see.”

“Please sit. Dinner is ready whenever you are.”

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