Page 8 of Nate

Nate rubbed his chin. “I don’t think she likes me.”

“Aww, poor baby. A woman who isn’t taken in by your charm and those good looks.”

Nate narrowed his eyes, then grinned. “I’m sure she’s not the only one.” He looked through the crowd and saw Markie coming back. He handed Laura the money for his bill, then looked at Sydney.

“I’d better go. You have a nice evening.” He stood up and Markie resumed her seat without looking at him.

“You have a nice evening, Dr. Russell.”

“Yeah, you too, Mr. Jefferson.”

Nate chuckled, turned and made his way through the crowd. She was going to be a challenge, and he was always up for one.

Chapter Two

Markie glared at Sydney when she laughed, then shook her head, and picked up her whiskey.

“You, Sydney Wright, are a terrible friend.”

“Why? Because I talked to Nate? He’s a friend of mine. You, on the other hand, were rude as hell to him. He never did anything to you, Markie.”

Markie sighed. “To me, he’s so arrogant. Just like Jarrett.”

“Oh, please. From what you’ve told me about that prick, I cannot believe you think Nate is anything like him. He’s not arrogant at all. He’s a good man. I sure wouldn’t have gone out with him if I hadn’t thought so.”

“But you only went out with him once.”

“Not because he was vain or arrogant, but because we knew we were better off as friends. No matter how good-looking a man is, doesn’t mean you should continue to see him. There was no connection, and trust me, I wish there would have been. He’s sexy as hell and man, can he kiss.”

“He kissed you?” Markie asked in surprise.

“Well, of course he did, but that’s when we knew there was no click for us. He can kiss but, we looked at each other and laughed because we knew, though the kisses were toe-curling, there would be nothing more.” Sydney touched her hand. “You’re judging him before even knowing him.”

“I have had no luck with men. Ever. Anytime I’d go out with one I liked, he’d get all touchy feely and saying no never seemed to register, and they’d never call me again. I don’t hop into bed with every man I date. Then to deal with my mother’s husband. I had enough when Jarrett tried to kiss me. If my mother’s housekeeper hadn’t come outside…” She shook her head. “I don’t know what would have happened. That man is so arrogant and thinks every woman should fall at his feet. I know he screws around on my mother but she either doesn’t care, or simply ignores it.” She looked at Sydney. “She didn’t even believe me when I told her about him. I hated him the minute I met him. My mother will be fifty-five next month, and he’s thirty-four. Four years younger than me. He is a good-looking man, but he’s ugly inside. He’s so full of himself.”

“He tried to kiss you?” Sydney asked in shock.

“Yes. Ever since I met him, he has been trying to get close to me. I told my mother. She said I was just reading too much into what he was saying.” Markie sighed. “I said, he told me exactly what he wanted to do to me. How am I reading too much into that?”

“When did he try to kiss you?”

“I was leaving their house after dinner, and he followed me outside and started talking to me. I kept backing away, but he kept advancing. When I opened my car door to get in, he pushed it closed, then grabbed my arms and pushed me against the car. He tried to kiss me, but I kept telling him to stop, and he said all I did was tease him and he was tired of it. It was time I admitted I was attracted to him. I pushed at his chest, and just as he reached for me, Carlotta, the housekeeper, asked me if I was okay. Jarrett smirked and said, ‘tell her you’re fine’. I shook my head then kicked him in the balls and told him to never touch me again or I’d go to the police. Carlotta has to see how he is. She steers clear of him too. She’s in her thirties and a beautiful woman. I’m sure he’s tried things with her.”

“You should have called the police. Markie, that’s sexual harassment.”

“Oh, I wanted to, but I also knew it would destroy my mother. She’d be hurt and embarrassed and I couldn’t do that to her. But if he ever touches me again, the hell with it. I will report him. If I get a chance, I’m going to ask Carlotta if he’s tried anything with her. She’s married and her husband is one big man. He’d hurt Jarrett for sure.”

“Some men think it’s fine to do whatever they want to a woman. Not all of them, but there are a few who think a woman should drop to her knees in front of him and do all his bidding. I hate men like that.” Sydney shook her head. “I’m so sorry you went through that, but for your mother not to believe you just blows my mind.”

“She believes everything he tells her. He lies every time he opens his mouth. I think it’s mostly because she doesn’t want to make him angry and he’d leave her.” Markie shook her head. “He’s never going to leave. He likes her money too much. She is planning a party for her birthday and has already told me to be there.” Markie shook her head. “I don’t think I can, but it will hurt her if I don’t. I love her, but she made a huge mistake marrying that prick.”

“Tell her you’re sick when the time comes, and you can’t make it.”

“I’d hate to do that to her. I’ll be so tense being close to him, but I should go. I’ll handle it somehow.”

“When is it?”

“The last Saturday of June. Her birthday is the Thursday before.”

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