Standing, he pulled some cash from his pocket, dropped a couple of bills on the table, and looked back at Nate. “Pay the tab.” He then walked over to the dance floor and cupped Katherine’s elbow. “Ready to go home?”
The look of relief in her eyes was all the confirmation he needed.
She nodded and followed him off the dance floor.
Nate waved, lighting another joint as they walked by.
* * *
KATHERINE
When Joseph opened the door, Katherine kicked off her shoes and took off running to the bathroom. At dinner, she’d had two glasses of wine, and she’d had two more at the disco. Maybe it was because she was stoned, but everything Joseph had said during the ride home made her laugh. Stoned or not, four glasses of wine and laughter could surely test a bladder.
She hurried inside the bathroom and closed the door. After a lengthy pee, Katherine flushed and washed her hands. She left the bathroom and joined Joseph in the kitchen where he was putting their leftovers from dinner in the fridge. He turned around when Katherine cleared her throat. “What?” he asked.
“I wanna warm that food up,” she admitted with a grin.
“You’re really hungry?”
Katherine shrugged. “I could eat.”
She wasn’t surprised by Joseph’s puzzled expression since it hadn’t been too long since they’d had dinner.
“You got the munchies,” he accused with laughter.
She giggled. “Maybe.”
He smiled and pulled the leftovers out of the fridge. “Go on over there and relax. I’ll pop these leftovers in the oven.”
Katherine took the bag of food from his hand. “No worries. I’ll eat it cold.”
Joseph chuckled and closed the refrigerator. “Okay, lady.”
Katherine took the bag into the living room, turned on the TV, and changed the channel until she happened uponThe Benny Hill Show. She sat on the floor with her back against the cocktail table and pulled the Styrofoam tray out of the bag. The delicious aroma of her pork chop escaped when she opened the tray.
“Mmmm.”
With nary a knife or fork, she dug in, picking up the pork chop and taking a huge bite. But she nearly choked, laughing at the crazy antics of Benny Hill.
“Whoaaaa! Slow down, hungry lady,” Joseph said as he entered the room, carrying two glasses of wine. He took a seat on the floor next to her and shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re eating cold pork chops.”
Katherine grinned. “Not cold, room temperature,” she corrected before taking another bite.
Joseph handed her a glass of wine and looked up at the television. “I can’t believe you’re watching Benny Hill.”
Katherine giggled again. “It’s late. What else is on?”
When she giggled a third time, she realized she’d been giggling a lot. After another bite of the delicious, lukewarm chop, she took a sip and washed it down with wine.
Joseph, amused, looked over at her with the sexiest smirk. “You’re having the time of your life, aren’t you?”
“A ball,” Katherine admitted. She was in a great place. She had a nice, thick pork chop, an almost full glass of wine, and the man of her dreams sitting beside her.
She crossed her legs and took another bite.
At least, for that moment, she was at peace.
Chapter Fourteen
