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CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Olivia was a grown woman, she reminded herself the next day.

She knew she needed to be mature when she handled the situation with Tyson. Avoiding conversations was something teenagers might do.

However, she had looked up the latest celebrity gossip on Kate, and several sources cited she had a secret boyfriend.

Could Tyson be that secret boyfriend?

As much as she’d tried to think through what she’d seen yesterday between Tyson and Kate, nothing made sense to her. She had to find the right time and place to talk to Tyson about what she’d seen.

However, right now definitely wasn’t the time.

As normal, she went through her workout with Tyson, all while Wes and Chandler filmed them.

She knew Tyson sensed something was wrong.

Unfortunately, right after they finished working out, Tyson had another meeting lined up.

Before Olivia slipped out of the gym, Tyson touched her arm. She froze, and their gazes met.

Though no one else was around, he stepped closer and lowered his voice. “What’s wrong?”

“Not here,” she said. “Not now.”

His frown deepened. “My phone call should only last an hour. Then can we meet outside? Can we talk?”

Olivia nodded. She might as well get this over with.

Besides, tonight was supposed to be the fundraiser. She had to decide what would happen with that.

Her old hurts were playing with her emotions right now. As much as she tried to stay in control, doing so was proving to be challenging.

But maybe she and Tyson being together was never a good idea—with or without the discovery of his relationship with Kate Ambrose.

* * *

Something was definitely wrong with Olivia, and Tyson was anxious to talk with her about it. What could have derailed things between them in such a short amount of time?

Just as he’d promised, he went outside to meet her after his phone call. She sat in a patio chair, her body stiff as she stared into the distance.

“Olivia.” He lightly touched her back as he sat in the chair next to her.

When she flinched, Tyson withdrew.

“I saw you with Kate Ambrose.” Her voice trembled with the words.

“Kate Ambrose?” It hit him what had occurred, and he chuckled with relief. “Is that what this has been about? Kate?”

“What’s so funny?” Olivia snapped, her eyes betraying her hurt.

Tyson shook his head, instantly sobering. “No, it’s not like that. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted in that way. It’s just that . . . your words took me by surprise.”

She stared at him, waiting for an explanation.

Taking her hand into his, he began. “Olivia, Kate Ambrose . . . is my sister.”

“What?” Olivia stiffened. “Wait. You said your sister’s name is Amy.”

“Her real name is Amy. Her stage name is Kate Ambrose. Amy Stone just didn’t have enough ring for her, I suppose.”

Realization rolled over her features.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” More pain sparked in her eyes as she stared up at him.

“Maybe for the same reason you didn’t tell me right away that Drake Culpepper was your father.” Tyson gently cupped the side of her face with his hand. “Amy—or Kate as most people know her—came in late. She was passing through town on her way to a new movie she’s shooting. She stopped by for a quick visit and had to leave first thing in the morning.”

“I see.” Olivia’s voice cracked.

“I didn’t know she was coming. She stayed in the guestroom across the hall. I kissed her cheek goodbye. That must have been what you saw.”

Olivia lowered her head and buried her face in her hands. “I’m such a fool.”

Tyson put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. “You’re not a fool, Olivia. You’ve just been extremely hurt before. Multiple times.”

She dropped her hands from her face and turned to fully look at him. Her eyes had softened with relief. And maybe something else . . .

“I’m sorry, Tyson.”

“I should have told you. I would have. I just thought I’d have more time.”

Her gaze met his. “I thought I was beginning to heal. I really did. But, obviously, I was wrong.”

“It’s a process.”

“Lyle says I need to be right with myself before I should be in any type of relationship.”

Tyson frowned. “I can understand where he’s coming from. But?—”

“Maybe . . . maybe we should slow down. I don’t want to jump into something before I’m ready. And all of this proves that I may not be ready.”

He didn’t bother to hide the disappointment in his gaze. But understanding also lingered there. “If you need time, then I’ll give you time. There’s no rush.”

She forced a smile. “Thank you.”

Tyson stared at her another moment, words somehow failing him. He wanted to reassure her, but he didn’t want to pressure her.

“What about the gala tonight?” he asked. “Would you like to cancel?”

“No, I’ll go,” she rushed. “I mean, we’re still friends, right?”

His throat ached as he echoed, “Friends.”

Maybe this was for the best.

Maybe he’d jumped in too quickly also.

Besides, his to-do list was a mile long. How would he ever get everything done if he added a relationship into the mix?

Maybe this had all worked out for the best.

But if that was the truth, why did Tyson feel such heaviness in his chest?