I cringe at the idea of a bunch of strangers on my property, installing cameras and equipment so that they can spy on me. I don’t want this equipment so that they can watch me. I want to be the one watching.

“I’ve already bought the equipment,” I say. “I just need somebody to help me install it. I don’t know how to do it myself.”

“It’s just that whatever you bought will never be as good as what a professional would install.”

“I don’t want a professional.” I dig my nails into the palm of my hand. “I want you to do it for me. Please.”

“Adrienne—”

“I’ll treat you to dinner. Anywhere you want.”

“But—”

“Please, Luke.”

His shoulders sag. “Okay, fine. I’ll do it.”

It feels like a weight has been lifted. Having a security system won’t protect me from EJ, but I feel better about it. I don’t like the idea of him lurking outside my property and following me. I want to know what’s going on. I’m not used to this feeling of a lack of control, and I don’t like it.

“Thank you, Luke.” Before I can stop myself, I reach out and touch his arm. I’m not a touchy-feely sort of person, but I feel a rush of gratitude towards this man. “I really appreciate it.”

“No problem.” He smiles at me. He looks different with the ironed shirt and tie, and with his face clean-shaven. He’s unexpectedly handsome. “And you don’t have to treat me to dinner.”

“I want to.”

“Well, why don’t you think about it?”

I consider protesting again, but there’s something firm in Luke’s voice. I appreciate that he doesn’t want to go out to dinner with me unless I want to do it. He’s not going to bulldoze me into anything. “Fine then.”

“So…” He rubs his hands together. “When do you want to do this?”

“As soon as possible.”

He arches an eyebrow. “I’m free tonight…”

Somehow I knew he would be.

_____

Luke parks his blue Toyota right behind my Lexus, in front of the house. He had my address plugged into his GPS, but I told him that the signal would likely give out after we turned off the main road, so he was better off following me. I usually give my patients specific directions on getting to my house.

“Jesus, Adrienne.” Luke is tugging on his tie to loosen it as he gets out of the Toyota. “You’re really isolated out here. This is the only house for miles.”

It’s actually 1.9 miles from the last house we passed. But I decide not to point that out. “Yes.”

He glances around at the trees surrounding the narrow, unpaved road to my house. “What do you do when it snows hard? You must get trapped here.”