Page 77 of Let Me Keep You

Robert

Are you okay? I’m with a client.

Gemma

If you really cared, you would’ve answered my calls. It could’ve been an emergency.

Robert

I’ll be done in an hour, maybe two. Meet me at my house, and we’ll talk then.

I roll my eyes and toss my phone on the counter without bothering to reply. That’s always his answer. We’ll “talk” when it’s convenient for him.

Wanting to get a better look, I sneak around the side of my dad’s house and look toward the street, trying my best to stay hidden. A man in a suit get out of the SUV. For a moment, I think he’s coming to my dad’s front door, but then another man exits from the passenger side, and they scope out the place.

One of them has a camera around his neck and the other has binoculars. My adrenaline rushes through my body so quickly, my hands shake. I tuck my lips into my mouth and rush back to the cottage. My heart pounds hard in my chest, and I swear I hear leaves crunching in the backyard. I’m so fucking scared. I close my blinds and curtains, then lock the doors, hoping they leave.

This is insane. They saw me leave the grocery store with bags in my hands. I’m alone, but it’s not good enough for them. I’m sure they’re hoping to catch me in the act to provide Robert the proof that doesn’t exist. Whoever they are, they looked like professionals, but I’m not sure what they’re after.

Gemma

You crossed a line. Call off your private investigators!

Robert

I have no idea what you’re talking about. What private investigators?

Gemma

The ones you hired to follow me.

Robert

Why would I hire people to follow you? You aren’t making any sense.

I swallow hard, unsure if he’s being honest or not. Robert isn’t a liar, but he’s a pro at getting what he wants. If this is a scare tactic so I’ll agree to move in with him, I’m going to unleash my wrath. Perhaps it’s a stretch to think that’s why they’re following me, but there’s literally no other reason. Maybe he hopes I’ll be too nervous to live alone, and it’ll push me to move up the wedding date.

If that’s the case, I’ll cancel the whole thing, including our relationship.

Panic rushes through me as I think about these men being outside my house. With my dad being away, I can’t call him for help, but I wouldn’t want to worry him either. I text Everleigh and Katie, but neither of them responds as I put away the rest of the things I bought at the store. Another twenty minutes go by when I decide to take another look outside. The SUV’s finally gone.

I release a deep breath, relief flooding through me, but it doesn’t stop the anxiety from taking over. My heart races, and I double-check to make sure all my windows and doors are locked. I can’t settle down, and after no one returns my texts or calls, I break down and reach out to Tyler.

Gemma

I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m kinda freaking out. Would you mind coming over? Someone followed me tonight, and I’m scared.

His response comes immediately.

Tyler

Stay in your house. I’ll be there in less than ten minutes.

Gemma

Thank you.

I pace around the house while I wait, and when there’s a knock on the door, I jump. I’m worked up more than I realized.