Chapter 962

Natalie took a large gulp of the mango juice. It was incredibly delicious; freshly squeezed juice was the best.

“This is delicious,” she said. “The last time I visited an orchard, I didn’t see any mango trees.”

Austin replied, “The chef brought the mangoes from the supermarket.”

Natalie nodded. “No wonder.” She would have picked and eaten any mangoes she found in an orchard.

Skylar smiled subtly, noting Austin’s attentiveness to Natalie’s preferences. Natalie’s demeanor toward Austin—that of an employee toward a boss, or a fan toward an idol—suggested his pursuit might be challenging.

“Lamb skewers are ready! Come and eat! I’ll start grilling the beef skewers and chicken wings,” Hank called, his face flushed from the heat of the grill.

Natalie’s eyes lit up. She ran back, exclaiming, “Mr. Powell, Skylar, just sit and wait. I’ll bring the lamb skewers.”

The freshly grilled lamb skewers smelled incredibly tempting. After a bite, Skylar complimented Hank enthusiastically. “These are delicious! Better than any barbecue I’ve had in Jipsburg.”

Skylar had initially thought Hank might be boasting, but his skill was undeniable.

“Yes, yes, this is the best barbecue I’ve ever had,” Natalie agreed.

Hank laughed heartily. “Barbecue requires good quality meat and proper grilling. This is a family recipe. My dad ran a barbecue restaurant for over twenty years and taught me everything. If you like it, we should get together more often when we’re back in Jipsburg.”

Austin ate sparingly, limiting himself to two skewers despite their enticing aroma.

Natalie felt a pang of sympathy. His dedication to his dreams was evident in his self-discipline.

“Mr. Powell, would you like some veggie wraps? They’re filled with onions and cilantro, and I asked Hank to use less oil and salt,” she offered.

Austin smiled. “Sure, that sounds good.”

Natalie fetched the wraps. Then, Austin asked Skylar, “Do you think she likes me?”

Skylar smiled and shook her head. “It’s hard to tell.” Given Natalie’s personality and recent divorce, she likely wasn’t considering another relationship so soon and probably hadn’t considered Austin's feelings. Austin’s smile faded slightly as he sipped his red wine. “I guess I haven’t done enough yet,” he murmured.

The barbecue lasted over two hours.

Chapter 2

Later, they relaxed indoors, sipping wine and singing songs. The small gathering was convivial.

Skylar, with her low alcohol tolerance, stopped after one glass of red wine. Natalie, slightly tipsy, turned to Hank. “Why don’t you sign me as an actress? Mr. Powell says I have talent, and he gets into character quickly when we act together.”

Hank, also slightly intoxicated, replied, “Acting with you, Austin would definitely get into character.”

Natalie didn’t grasp his meaning. “What do you mean, acting with me gets him into character? Are you saying I have acting skills?”

Hank asked, “The entertainment industry isn’t easy. You have to constantly manage your image and navigate difficult interactions. Can you handle that?”

The entertainment industry was especially challenging for women; many female celebrities faced unseen struggles behind their glamorous facades. Even though he’d been drinking, Hank wasn’t truly drunk; otherwise, he would have been more blunt.