Page 43 of Nate

“Markie?”

“No, thank you. I’m Dr. Markie Russell by the way. I work with Dr. Garrett.”

Lanie smiled. “Lanie Donovan. It’s nice to meet you. Enjoy your lunches.”

“Thank you.” Markie smiled.

Nate picked up the ketchup bottle and squirted some onto his plate, then picked up a fry and dipped it into it. After taking a bite, he chewed then swallowed and frowned at her.

“Do you want the ketchup?”

Markie shuddered. “No. I hate ketchup.”

Nate sat back in the booth and stared at her.

“I’m sorry. Did you say you…hateketchup?”

“I do.”

“What do you put on your fries?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing? Darlin’, those are reasons not to see you anymore.”

Markie laughed. “I want to taste the fry not the ketchup.”

“Damn,” he muttered as he shook his head, making her laugh again.

Her phone buzzed from the pocket of her scrubs, and she removed it, looked at the screen and groaned.

“I have to take this. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“Hi, Mom.”

“Honey, why don’t you take a few days off and stay longer over the weekend of my party?”

“Mom, I can’t do that. I don’t have vacation days yet and the hospital is busy. I’ll be there on that Saturday and leave Sunday. We’ve discussed this.”

“I just want to spend time with my daughter for my birthday.”

“Next year.”

“I might not be here next year.”

Markie snorted. “Mom don’t try to pull that on me. You’ll probably outlive me.”

“I’d better not!” Her mother sighed. “Alright, honey. I’ll see you then. It’s going to be a wonderful party.”

“I’m sure it will be. I have to run. I’m at lunch right now.”

“Okay, bye.” Her mother hung up and Markie put the phone back into her pocket.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“No problem.”

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