Page 53 of Nate

“Do you like country music?”

Markie stared at him. “Wow, that was some topic switch there, Nate.”

He laughed. “Not really.”

“Oh, my God. Either I’m confused or you are.”

“Well, I’m not. So, do you like country music?”

“Yes. I love it.”

“Then you know the owner of this restaurant.”

“Nate,” she growled.

“Grant Hunter owns it.”

“Grant Hunter? The country singer?” She shook her head. “You’re pulling my leg.”

“I’d love to pull your leg, but I’m not right now.”

Markie smirked and shook her head. “I don’t believe you. Did you know I liked him somehow and thought it would be fun to tease me?”

“How would I know if you liked him or not? I had to ask if you liked country music.”

“You could have seen my CD collection.”

“The first time I was in your apartment, the last thing I was thinking of was looking at your CD collection.”

“Yeah, okay.” She laughed again.

“You still don’t believe me,” Nate said, shaking his head.

“Why would Grant Hunter, a country singer, amegastar, have a restaurant in Hartland?”

“Because he was born and raised in Clifton.” Nate stared into her eyes, then she shook her head.

“Nope.”

“Ask Sydney.”

“I will.” Markie sat back in the booth, folded her arms across her chest and stared at him.

Nate chuckled. “You are one hardheaded woman.”

“I can be. Especially if someone is trying to pull one over on me.”

“I’m not.”

“Whatever, Jefferson.”

Their dinners arrived and once the server placed them on the table, she asked if they needed anything else.

“Yes, you can tell me who owns this restaurant,” Markie said as she looked at Nate.

The server looked at Nate and he shook his head, then she looked back at Markie, laughed and walked off, making Nate chuckle.

“Text Sydney,” Nate suggested.

---