Yeah, no. When Nate was right he was right and there was nothing anyone else could say or do to stop him thinking that. She might want to be stubborn but he could sure as hell match that if he wanted. If Nate was capable of taking on other people's advice then Marlene was too. Granted, the people Nate usually listented to besides Marlene were named Rhi, Daniel and Tyler but could he help it if his friends actually knew what they were talking about from time to time? Or more often than that but eh. The point is Nate would like to think that sometimes he too knew what he was on about and that certain people would back down and actually take his advice when it was good for them.
Right then he probably should have returned her smile and acted as if everything was okay for at least a second, to give Marlene time to organise her thoughts or whatever but Nate didn't exactly think that way. The second he saw her he couldn't help but let a look of slight concern appear. Somehow, seeing her had just made him worried and he wasn't about to start acting otherwise. "Hey," he replied, allowing his fingers to lace through hers.
... Did she seriously just ask if how he was? Having to resist the urge to roll his eyes he sighed, "I'm fine." He paused for a moment as he contemplated asking or not but he couldn't help himself. The thought was in his head and it wasn't going to go away until he got an answer, so.. "Is something wrong?" Apparently a simple 'and how are you?' just wasn't going to cut it this afternoon. Looking down at her he was sure not to advert his gaze, if she even attempted lying he'd know. Not so good for her but brilliant for him. Most of the time.