Chapter Eighteen
Rick and Kate were seated at their table, enjoying a bottle of wine while they waited on their orders. His mouth was dry, with the plan to get Kate out of the city weighing heavily on his mind. He hoped it would go over easy and it wouldn't take much convincing.
Kate couldn't be in New York when he made his next attack, so he had to try something - anything - to keep her safe. He leaned forward and took her hand. The dim candlelight glimmered in her eyes and it almost blanked his mind. But then, he came back to his senses. This had to work.
He took a deep breath and finally got the words out. "I know it's very short-notice, and I've been thinking about this all day, but, I didn't expect... well, a lot of things."
"I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon for a short business trip. I would like to make a few changes, you know, turn it into a trip for two, so you could go with me."
Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. He had caught her off guard. "I- I don't know what to say..."
"Say yes," he smiled, trying his best charm as he spoke, "It's just a two day trip to Chicago. I have several meetings to attend, and you'll have time to shop, or go to the museums while I'm busy, but the rest of the time, it'll only be you and me."
She turned away and seemed to collect herself. When she faced him again, her eyes were full of tears, and he couldn't figure out why. "I - I can't, Rick."
"But, why?" he asked. Why wouldn't she go? He had to find some way to get her out of the city. "Is it because it's too soon?"
Kate closed her eyes for a second, and the tears seemed to evaporate. "It is a short notice and I do have responsibilities. I can't just pack up and leave on a whim."
The hollow in his gut suddenly became suffocating and the air around him charged. He silently fought to regain control, watching as the candle's flame flickered wildly.
Thankfully, it stopped almost as soon as it started, and Kate didn't seem to notice. "I won't lie, I do wish you would say yes, but I do understand."
"How about we enjoy the meal, and maybe the night, and I can go with you to the airport tomorrow?" she offered.
"I think I would like that," he said, but had a feeling he had ruined everything between them.
Then, Kate raised her glass. Her voice wavered a bit as she said, "To keeping our heads in the clouds?"
He nodded, thinking there might be an underlying meaning to the way she said the words, but then, he was probably digging too deep. "Exactly," he answered.
The clink of their glasses resonated through the air, and everything seemed to change.