Page 101 of Nate

“No thanks, honey. I have no desire to see his bare ass,” Rafe deadpanned, making Nate burst out laughing.

“Right back at you,” Nate shot back, raising his beer bottle in mock salute. “I’m flattered, ma’am, but I’m currently involved with someone. However, my friend here is as single as they come,” he said with a friendly slap on Rafe’s shoulder.

“Fuck you,” Rafe muttered good-naturedly, making Nate laugh harder.

The woman’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Oh, okay, then how about just you?” She directed her attention toward Rafe.

Rafe looked at Nate with an amused expression. “I don’t know whether to be honored or offended.”

Nate laughed again, looked at the woman, and shook his head.

“Can’t help you.”

The woman shrugged and sauntered off, her hips swaying invitingly as she made her way toward a table where two other cowboys sat.

Nate couldn’t help but feel a mixture of amusement and curiosity. “I wonder how many others turned her down before she got to us?”

Rafe grinned knowingly. “God only knows.”

“Hey, I’ll be right back. Just need to step outside and text Markie again. I didn’t hear back from her yet,” Nate said suddenly, gesturing toward the door.

“Sure, I’ll be here,” he stated nonchalantly before turning his attention back to the bustling crowd.

Nate nodded in response, slipping off his stool and navigating through the sea of people toward the exit. He stepped onto the sidewalk outside, making his way over to the bench that sat across from the bar. The night was still warm as he sat down and pulled out his phone, tapping out a text to Markie.

He knew she had wanted to spend tonight at home, anyway, having performed surgery on an injured dog yesterday. Tess and Sam had gone to their cabin in Kalispell, leaving Markie to handle any potential emergencies. Despite being off on weekends, there was always a chance for something unexpected to arise.

Hey baby.He typed out and hit send, awaiting a response. When none came, he sent another message.I suppose you’re checking on the dog. Get back to me when you can. I’d love to see you.

As he waited for a reply, Nate sighed and decided to head back inside before some other woman tried to catch Rafe’s eye. He shook his head with amusement at his friend’s effortless charm with women. He just needed one as good as Markie.

Nate made his way back to the stool and chuckled when he saw two women chatting up Rafe. Standing beside them since one was perched on his stool, Nate caught her eye, and she widened hers before looking at Rafe.

“Is this your friend?” she asked.

“Yes, this is Nate.”

“Well, hello there,” she purred in Nate’s direction, causing him to raise an eyebrow in surprise. “We thought when he said he was here with a friend, one of us would get stuck with the ugly one.”

Nate glanced at Rafe and saw the mischief in his eyes before turning back to the woman. “He should have told you that I’m involved with someone.”

“Oh, he did,” she waved off his comment with a dismissive wave of her hand. “But we don’t care.”

“They don’t care,” Rafe echoed, and Nate could see he was struggling to contain his laughter.

“Well, I do,” Nate stated firmly. “Could you please get off my stool?”

The woman scowled at him but quickly hopped down, allowing Nate to take his seat.

“Did you get a hold of Markie?”

“I sent her another text but no response. She’s probably checking on the dog,” Nate replied as he ordered another beer from the bartender.

“Yeah...” Rafe trailed off, glancing over at the two women. “Sorry ladies.”

“Whatever,” one of them huffed before they walked away.

“Damn, Marshall, you’re on a roll tonight; pissing off three women in one night,” Nate joked, taking a sip of his drink.

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