“I don’t feel it,” I grumble.
Dad strides ahead of us to greet his golfing buddies on the opposite end of the veranda. The club house is a giant building nestled among rolling green courses, featuring a spa, fine dining restaurant, and bar. The day always starts with a drinks reception and light refreshments, followed by a brieftournament. There are golf cart rides for young children, alongside a magician and bouncy house to give parents a break.
I check my phone.
MIA: Can’t make it. Oliver’s taking me to the city for a surprise shopping spree. Enjoy!
“Put your phone away,” Mom hisses. “It’s time to socialize.”
Dad shakes hands with Robert Gilsmear, a wealthy CEO of a pharmaceutical company that supplies the asylum. Their relationship goes back years.
“It’s always a pleasure to see you,” Dad says to him. “I’m sure I can count on your attendance at Sunnycrest’s upcoming event.”
“Of course.” Robert grins, showing off his new veneers. They’re too big for his face, reminding me of a shark from an animated film. “You can always count on me.”
I groan inwardly. How could I have forgotten about the Sunnycrest annual mixer? The only plus point about the event is Dad being out of the house more during preparations.
“Jocelyn!” Robert extends his arms to my mother. She simpers as he plants kisses on her cheeks. “And Erin, look at you!” He steps back to survey me. “How you’ve grown!”
His beady-eyed look makes me glad I’m wearing a conservative outfit. My inner alarm bells sound. Robert gives me the serious creeps.
“I still need a caddy for the tournament,” Robert says. “What do you say, Erin?”
I glance nervously at my father. He’s smiling, but he’d prefer me to be glued to his side all day.
“I don’t know if Erin has the—” Dad begins.
“I’d love to,” I interrupt, going against all my instincts.
The smile he returns churns my stomach.
This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. If my masked stalkers want to act overprotective, this is a man I won’t feel bad punishing.
“Perfect.” Robert claps his hands gleefully. “We’ll tee off at ten. I will see you on the course, Miss Acacia.”
“That was kind of you to offer, Erin,” Mom says.
“I know he’s an important asset for Sunnycrest,” I say.
Dad’s eyes narrow, going into shrink mode and trying to psychoanalyze me like one of his patients. It’s an uncomfortable sensation, but a familiar one.
“Oh, look, there’s Nate’s mom!” Mom waves at her. “We have to say hello to our neighbors, Magnus.”
She steers him away by the arm, giving me a rare moment of silence. I accept a glass of lemonade from the server and sip it, leaning against the fence overlooking the course. There are plenty of secluded areas and shrubbery. Are Eli and the others out there?
“Erin!” I jump as Robert’s slimy hand snakes around my waist. “It’s time for us to go.”
“Sure,” I say, forcing a bright smile.
The game doesn’t start for an hour.
He leads me to a waiting golf cart and puts on aviator sunglasses, which he thinks make him look cool. His clubs are already loaded to save me from carrying them.
“Your carriage awaits,” he announces.
He slips into the driver’s seat next to me and drapes one ham-like arm around my chair. My nose crinkles from his strong cologne that does a terrible job at masking his BO. He slides closer, pushing me into his sticky armpit.
“We’re starting on hole fourteen,” he says, hitting the gas. It’s the farthest hole from the clubhouse and renowned as the hardest on the course. “The other golfers will meet us there.” Hispiggy eyes gleam like he’s about to eat. “It’ll be good to practice before the others join us.”
