“My internship has been terminated,” she revealed.
“Oh, no, Katherine. I’m so sorry.” Joseph wrapped her in his arms. Though it was unlikely, he was hoping to provide some comfort.
Katherine rested her head on his chest and swiped a tear from her cheek. “She said the reporters were disruptive, but she did say there would be a place for me once all of this is over.”
“That’s good. It’ll be fine.” Joseph guided her to the table and pulled out a chair. “Sit. Have some more wine.”
Katherine pushed the glass to the side and put her head down on the table. Joseph grabbed his beer and sat across from her. He had to figure something out. Her sadness was crippling.
“I have an idea,” he announced.
Katherine raised her head and pushed her hair out of her face. “What’s that?” she asked.
Joseph could hear the stress and frustration in her tone. “I was thinking we should get away for the weekend. We could drive to Wisconsin, do some hiking and fishing. We could leave tomorrow.”
Katherine’s brows wrinkled. “Leave tomorrow? Tomorrow’s Tuesday. How are you going to leave? You have to go into the office.”
Joseph waved off her concerns. “They can do without me for a few days. They recruited me. I’ll be fine.” He said it, but he wasn’t sure it was true. He hoped they wouldn’t take his spot away for going missing for a few days. “Like I said, we could sleep under the stars at night and fish during the day.”
“Fishing?” Her face twisted into a frown as if she could actually smell the fish. “Joseph, I’m not sleeping under no stars and not touching any smelly fish.”
Now, it was Joseph’s face that twisted into a frown.
Katherine raised a brow. “I have a better idea,” she said with a mischievous grin.
Joseph placed his elbows on the table and linked his fingers. “Let’s hear it.”
“I say, we do an extended weekend in the Bahamas.”
“What?” Joseph gasped. “We can’t afford that.”
Katherine smiled. “I can. My credit cards still work.”
Joseph shook his head. “The Feds are gonna be freezing your dad’s accounts.”
“They haven’t yet. I say we prepay for everything with my credit card. So, if they cut it off, everything is already paid for.”
Joseph sipped his beer. “That’s crazy,” he scoffed.
“Why is it so crazy? You were right. I need to get away. Soon, I’ll have to testify. Eventually, the press is gonna find me. My life is gonna be turned upside down. Why not seize the moment?” Katherine stood and walked around the table. She sat on his lap and cupped his face. “Please, honey.”
Joseph was caught in her hypnotic blue gaze. How could he resist? “Okay. Let’s do it.”
Katherine’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Really?”
Joseph gave her a peck on the lips. “Really,” he confirmed. “Let’s go to the Bahamas.”
Katherine squealed with glee and hugged his neck. She pulled back with a giant smile on her face. “You know what?”
“What’s that, sweetheart?”
“We’re going in style. I’m gonna show you how the rich and superficial live.”
“Okay,”Joseph muttered. “Show me how the other half live.”
Katherine bounced up and down on his lap, reminding him of the plan he’d had before the phone rang. Intent on feeling her warm, tight insides, Joseph stood, lifting her with him, and carried her off to the bedroom.
Chapter Nineteen
