Page 49 of Stone Coast

Tyson joined me in the cockpit, and I told him about my impromptu interrogation of Ross. He shared my sentiments and said I needed to proceed with caution, as usual.

"What are you going to do now?” Tyson asked. “Are you gonna take the position they offered you?”

I shook my head. "I don't know much, but I do know that's not what I want." I exhaled a frustrated sigh. "I just started this new life of mine, and I already want a do-over.”

Tyson laughed, and I just shook my head.

“I have to find out why all this happened,” I said. “I have to bring Carter Wallace to justice. Anything else is a distraction.”

"That's the Savannah I know." Tyson paused. "Are you sure you’re gonna be okay?”

I nodded and put on a good front.

We stared at each other for a long moment. He was easy to stare at.

"I should be going," he said. “But you can call me anytime. Jack’s band has a few dates lined up in Europe. I manage the band, so it’s my job to keep the show on the road.”

“Sounds like you’ve got your hands full.”

“I do,” he said with a smile.

“Thank you. You’ve gone above and beyond.” I stepped close and gave him an awkward hug.

He hugged me back, and I felt safe. Secure. The smell of him filled my nostrils, and I didn’t want to let go. I felt like he was my only real connection to my former self. A world that only he and I shared.

We broke apart before things got too awkward again. We said our goodbyes, and I watched him stroll down the dock to the parking lot.

I returned to the boat and took a minute to unwind. But there was no unwinding from this.

I called Olivia and caught her up to speed. She had a lot of questions about Tyson. I told her as much as I thought I reasonably could without going into detail about how we met or what little memory I had of our past. I used the same story he did. That I was friends with his sister, Madison.

"So, did you guys ever, like, bump uglies?"

"I told you, he's just a friend."

"A friend. Right…,” she said in disbelief. "How would you really know?"

“He’s just a friend,” I assured.

“Is he single?”

“Olivia!”

“Well, is he?”

“No,” I lied.

She didn’t believe me. “And he spent the night with you?”

“Nothing happened.”

“You’re a naughty girl.”

“Would you stop?”

“You’re right. I shouldn’t tease you at a time like this. How are you holding up? I mean, you seem pretty nonchalant about the whole thing. That kinda scares me.”

“I’m processing.”