The Remedy (The Program 0.5)(66)

“That’s reassuring,” Marie says. Although I note the slight relief in her voice, the concern doesn’t leave her eyes. She leans toward me. “I trust you,” she says. “I always have. And whatever’s happening, Quinn, you need to clear this up. I can see you’re a little confused. The question is, is this enough of an issue to pull you out?”

“No,” I say emphatically. “Marie, I agree this is a hard assignment, but the family has finally let me in. Isaac trusts me too. I’ve even made headway with the sister. Let me finish this. Please.”

Marie looks me up and down, weighing my words. She stands, brushing at the thighs of her suit to smooth the fabric. “Fine,” she agrees. “But you need to end it with the boyfriend. Give him closure early and exit him from this process. Understand?”

It’s a punch to my chest, and it takes everything I have to keep my expression steady. “That’s not an option,” I tell her, standing up. “His wellness is tied into the family’s. They like having him around; they like seeing him get better. It would devastate them if he was cut off.”

Marie narrows her dark-lined eyes, and smiles. “Bullshit,” she says. My mouth opens in surprise. “Do you think I don’t know you?” she asks. “Haven’t known you since you were a child?” She steps closer to me, taller than I am in her high-heeled boots. “You’ve gotten attached, Quinlan,” she says. “And for that I should pull you immediately. But the thing is, this case, it’s bigger than you. Has bigger implications. And I honestly and truly believe that you’re a good enough closer to finish this assignment. Finish it with you intact. Assure me that I’m right.”

My face burns with shame, but I appreciate what Marie has said. Of course, she’s not wrong about me getting attached. I hope she’s not wrong about me being strong enough to overcome it.

“I can finish this,” I tell her, tightening my expression to show her my resolve. “Just give me until next Friday.”

Marie nods slowly and then comes close and pulls me into a hug. She smells of vanilla, and the scent is familiar, comforting me immediately. I close my eyes for a moment, breathing her in.

We separate, and Marie holds my arm as I walk her to the door. She is the closest thing I’ve had to a mother in my real life. I’ve lied to her, and yet we still trust each other.

I open the door, and she steps outside and turns to look back at me. “No more running around with Isaac,” she says, pointing her finger at me. “One call, Quinn, one call from a pissed-off friend of his and your father will send you straight into therapy. He has no idea what’s happening here, and I have no inclination to tell him about it.”

“Thank you, Marie.”

She nods, and there is a hint of hesitation in her movement. But after she turns and leaves, a new feeling starts to bubble up inside me. Anger.

I slam the door closed and march into my room, grabbing my phone and dialing Aaron. I’m furious. This is the second time he’s betrayed me, and I’m not going to give him another shot at it.

“Quinlan, thank God,” he says immediately on answering. I scoff, even more annoyed that he’s trying to sound concerned.

“You reported me, *?”

“Calm down,” Aaron says. “You wouldn’t take my calls. Not even Deacon’s. I was worried, and I was afraid to come near the house. Not to mention the tracking app has been disconnected on your phone. Coincidence?”

“No,” I say. “I didn’t want you spying on me.”

“It’s not spying. It’s looking out for you. What is going on over there?”

“I’m doing my job,” I tell him, my mouth tight with bitterness. “And if you interfere again, I’ll report you for trying to derail my assignment. My father will send you to therapy.”

Aaron is quiet for a long moment, and even through my anger I realize my threat was too severe. Too cruel. I almost apologize, but Aaron talks before I can.

“Fine,” he says. “Do what you want. And when they’re scraping your brains off the floor of the hospital, remember that I was trying to help you.”

He hangs up, and I toss my phone on the bed. Sickness tears at my stomach—I’m hurt that he told Marie that I was losing myself. Embarrassed that he was kind of right. And I’m ashamed of how I just talked to him. Aaron’s my friend, I know that. What I don’t know is why I want this thing with Isaac to continue, this risk I’m taking. It’s like . . . I can’t stop myself. I want it too much.

But Marie’s warning stays with me. I put on some lip gloss and a little more makeup, trying to disguise the paleness, my glow snuffed out. When Isaac arrives fifteen minutes later, I meet him on the porch and close the door behind me. I can’t have him over now, interact the way I planned. He still smiles brightly when he sees me, and I ask him if we can go to lunch instead because I’m hungry. There’s a small hint of disappointment in his expression, but he tries to hide it. Of course, he’s not a closer, so I can read him easily. I give him a quick kiss, making it better. Reassuring him on some level. He takes my hand and we walk to his truck, but before I get in, I scan the streets quickly, looking for a car—one that’s out of place. One that’s watching me. But if there are any, they’re well-hidden, because there’s nothing out of the ordinary on this street. Nothing but me.