Page 81 of Nate

“This trout is amazing,” Stella exclaimed, taking another bite.

“They have the best food here.” Markie nodded in agreement.

“I’ve had better,” Knowles chimed in haughtily, causing Nate to roll his eyes and suppress a laugh. Knowles narrowed his eyes at him. “Something funny, Jefferson?”

Nate picked up his napkin, wiped his mouth, then tossed it down with a smirk on his face as he looked back at Knowles.

“Yeah. You.”

“Is that so?” Knowles replied, his tone laced with annoyance.

“Oh, yeah. It’s so. You have to bitch and complain about everything, unless you’re the center of attention. The food is fantastic here. I’m sure you know that. But you just want to be difficult about it.” Nate couldn’t resist getting a jab in at Knowles, who was always wanting to be the center of attention.

He watched as Knowles clenched his jaw and glared at him.

“I’m not being difficult. I just said, I’ve had better.”

“Jarrett, stop. Just enjoy the food,” Stella snapped, clearly tired of his constant need for validation and attention.

“Yeah, just enjoy the food,” Nate repeated with a smirk, relishing in the fact that he had gotten under Knowles’ skin. He leaned over close to Markie and whispered with a playful grin. “Is it me, or is your mother acting different toward Jarrett?”

“It’s not just you. I noticed it too,” Markie whispered back with a chuckle.

As they continued to eat, Nate saw a friend of his and stood up when he and his wife, along with another man approached their table.

“Alex, how are you?” Nate greeted his friend warmly and shook his hand.

“Hey, Nate. I’m doing well. You?”

“Great. This is Markie Russell, her mother Stella, and her husband Jarrett Knowles. Everyone, this is a good friend of mine, Alex Reeves and his wife Dylan. I’m sorry, but I don’t know this gentleman.”

“Oh, this is my father Brooks Reeves,” Alex introduced him.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Brooks said cordially as he put out his hand to Stella. “Mrs. Knowles.” He smiled warmly at her and Nate couldn’t help but notice Stella’s cheeks turn pink.

“You can let go of her hand now,” Jarrett said snidely, making Stella glare at him.

“Don’t be an ass,” she muttered under her breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Reeves,” Markie spoke up politely.

“You too, hon.”

“Markie is a veterinarian and works with Tess,” Nate added.

Brooks nodded in acknowledgment, but his gaze never left Stella’s face, causing her to blush even more.

“Well, uh, we’re on our way out. It was good seeing you, Nate and nice meeting all of you.” Alex said as he gestured for his father to leave with them.

“Maybe we’ll meet again one day,” Brooks said with a lingering look at Stella before following his family out of the restaurant.

“That man is an ass,” Knowles remarked gruffly after they left, making Nate almost choke on his beer.

“This coming from you,” he muttered sarcastically under his breath, but Markie heard him and laughed softly.

“I need to use the restroom. Markie honey, show me where it is please,” Stella suddenly announced, motioning for Jarrett to slide out so she could get up from her seat.

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