Celine and him never spoke about how to approach Therese learning about them, but she's an astute woman. They were crazy for thinking they'd get anything past her at all for any length of time. But she sits in the chair on the other side of his desk and folds her hand over her lap like the lady she is. She clears her throat. "Rene." "Good morning, Therese." She smiles a knowing smile, one that makes Rene's skin crawl. Dear god, he's not ready for this at all. He feels like a teenager all over again, about to talk to a girl's father as he holds a shotgun. And Therese holds nothing at all. "I have a proposition for you." "Oh?" "Considering all the hard work Celine has been doing and how exhausted she is, I think she's earned a vacation." Rene nods, but checks the calendar on his desk. "She doesn't have anything scheduled forthe next week." "Then I suggest we all take a proper vacation. When she gets back." "She's not back? Did something happen?" "No, no. She wanted to stay one more day to come home well rested. She needs the sleep." Therese adjusts the hem of her skirt, pulling it down farther. "She's been very happy lately. In fact, happier than I've ever seen her." "I'm glad to hear it."
