"How does he even tolerate you?" Nathan muttered, his tone dripping with disbelief as he forked a piece of fruit from his plate. "I mean, you're like an eternal cheerleader. It's almost cloying!"
Serena narrowed her eyes, her patience wearing thin. Without a word, she reached for her glass of water, lifting it deliberately, and gave it a little shake in front of his face. The unspoken threat hung in the air, but Nathan, unfazed, rolled his eyes dismissively.
"Oh, please," he scoffed, waving off her silent warning. "It's not like I'm trying to insult you. If anything, I'm insulting Aiden. I mean, he's this cold, ruthless guy, always out for blood, and then there's you—perky, happy, like you stepped out of some sunshine-filled dream."
"So what?" Serena shot back, her voice tinged with defiance. "I'm the calm in his life, okay? The serenity he needs."