“He’s a bright spot in a bad day.”

Dakota came to sit beside her on the couch. “How are you holding up?”

She glanced away from Leo and tried to shake off the unease the entire situation mandated. “It’s just stuff.”

“Have you found anything missing?” Walt asked from the kitchen.

“Just the cash.” Mary once again tickled Leo with her hair. “Good thing I don’t have a lot of that sitting around, huh, Leo?” Her voice kicked up an octave.

Their informal dinner was eaten around the coffee table with Dakota and Walt tag-teaming Leo. The conversation about the mess across the street eased into a discussion about what needed to happen next.

“A security system is never a bad idea. Seems they only go in after someone is robbed.”

“This has always been a safe community. The most trouble we’ve had is when those boys up the street threw weekend parties,” Dakota told them.

“Thank God for college,” Mary said.

“Glen, when are you going home?” Walt asked.

Mary drank her wine and waited for the answer.

“I told Jason and Trent not to expect me anytime soon.”

Anytime soon? What did that mean? “You have a job, too, Glen. I can’t expect you to stay here and hold my hand.”

“You not expecting it makes me want to do it more.”

She set her wine down. “I’m going to have to go to my office on Tuesday.”

“We should have the majority of the place cleaned out by then.”

“Dating me doesn’t mean you have to share my problems,” she told him. “You have a life.”

Glen stared her down. “You go to work on Tuesday, and I’ll supervise the security company when they wire your place.”

“I don’t even know what that costs . . . or if I can afford it.”

He titled his head just like he had when he’d bought her the coat.

“Oh, no . . . the coat, okay. I did that. But no way am I letting you foot any bills related to this garbage.”

Glen shrugged and forked the last bite of his dinner in his mouth. “Then I guess you’re stuck with me until we find out who did this.”

“What?”

Mary was vaguely aware that Walt and Dakota were silently watching this entire exchange.

Glen lifted both palms in the air. He dipped his right hand and said, “Security system . . .” Then he dipped his left hand. “Me as your roommate.” His grin told her he wasn’t kidding. “Your choice, hon.”

“That’s ridiculous.” She glanced over at Walt, who seemed just fine with his ultimatum. And Dakota, the traitor. “You’re all ridiculous.”

“Pretending everything can go on as normal is preposterous, Mary, and you know it,” Dakota said.

Mary’s psychology hat snapped into place and her words flew out of her mouth. “You’re feeling guilty.”

“Excuse me?” Dakota asked.

“Guilty you didn’t notice anything until after it was all over. Probably even more so because you’re considering moving altogether and wouldn’t be able to walk across the street to check on me.”

Dakota didn’t argue.

Mary turned toward Walt. “Ditto for you.”

She found her eyes on Glen. “You want to play hero. Kinda stuck in the role since the call came through while we were together. The male ego kicks in with nothing bad can happen if I’m there, takes over, and all your normal responsibilities blow away. I have news for you . . . something bad can happen right now and you might not be able to do anything to stop it. Or worse, get hurt trying.” She twisted back to Dakota. “And what if Walt had ran over when that guy was still there? What if he chased Walt back here with you and Leo?”

The room was silent until Glen challenged her. “All your what-ifs do not change the fact that you have friends who want to help, Counselor.”

She understood that, but she also knew, on a level that only she could, the risk she took in counting on someone else for her well-being. She’d been going at life nearly alone since she was brought into this world, depending on others now was not an option.

“Help. But don’t dictate what will and won’t be in my life based on your needs.”

“I’m basing it on your needs.”

She shook her head. “Every good dictator makes the people believe they are making all the decisions for the people’s own good.”

From the look on Glen’s face, she’d managed to tick him off. He set his drink down and stood. “Believe what you want, Mary. I’m not going anywhere. Walt, Dakota . . . thank you for dinner. I have a few calls to make.” Then he was out the door.

Walt handed Leo to Dakota and followed Glen.

It took a few minutes for Mary’s heart to stop pounding in her chest.

“You’re wrong on this one,” Dakota said quietly.

Mary started to protest.

“No, don’t. Yes, I feel bad that we didn’t see the asshole who did this. Maybe even a little guilty, but that isn’t driving my desire to see you safe. And I have no doubt that Glen’s ego is puffing his chest out saying he won’t let this happen if he’s here to stop it. It’s not testosterone driving Glen to his actions either. Anyone else would be booking his flight home after what you just said.”

Maybe he should go.

“You know what I see?” Dakota asked.