Page 7 of Stone Coast

She looked at me for another long, hard moment, trying to see into my soul again. "You really don't know who I am, do you?"

I frowned. "Sorry."

"Nothing?"

My lips scrunched up. "Nothing."

That mischievous grin tugged her lips again. "So, I can make up a whole bunch of crazy shit, and you gotta take me at my word?"

“I don't think that would be a good idea," Grayson interjected.

She frowned at him. "Relax. I’m just playing." Olivia looked back at me. “Did I mention how much money you owe me?”

I mustered a chuckle, but it hurt my head to laugh.

"The doctor said it would be good for her to see familiar faces, go to familiar places, hear old stories,” Grayson said.

"I've got plenty of stories," Olivia said.

I had no doubt.

She was a captivating woman, clearly the center of attention wherever she went. As soon as she walked into the room, the place brightened up. She had an aura about her. You could have told me she was a celebrity, and I would have believed it. There was something enigmatic about her. In the short time that I had gotten reacquainted with her, I got the impression she was a hot mess. A handful. That was the only reason I could imagine why a woman so vibrant and vivacious wasn't already spoken for. Then again, I didn't have a ring on my finger either. But something told me Grayson wasn't far from presenting one. And that made me nervous as hell. Everybody was telling me what a wonderful and dedicated man he was. He was clearly a great catch, but I felt nothing for him. Would I always feel nothing? Or would the same qualities that made me fall in love with him the first time come flooding back? Was it only a matter of getting to know him? It was an odd sensation, to say the least.

I had so many questions, but they would have to wait.

5

The nurse stepped into the room and approached the bed with a smile. “Dr. Russell says we can take your tube out. How’s that sound?”

“That sounds great.”

"This is going to be uncomfortable for a moment, and you’re probably gonna hate me. But then I’m gonna be your favorite person once this is out. Are you ready?"

I nodded.

She carefully started tugging on the nasogastric tube. It felt like someone was pulling my brain out of my skull through my nose.

It was not pleasant, and when it came out, it was a lovely, snotty mess.

I coughed and hacked up phlegmy stuff. Nancy gave me a tissue, and I cleared the pipes.

The headache came on quick—a vice clamping down, my temples pounding. A sharp, stabbing sensation through my skull.

My head filled with a sudden flash of imagery.

I couldn't make sense of it. Maybe part of my brain was trying to download or reboot. Then, I saw a glimpse of an older gentleman walking the hospital hallway. The random movie clip in my brain lasted a few moments, then faded away. The headache lingered for another minute, then dissipated. It hit like a brain freeze from sucking down a slushie too fast.

“Are you okay?” Grayson asked with concern.

“Yeah, just a weird sensation.”

A moment later, the same older gentleman entered the room, wearing a nice three-piece dark gray suit with wide pinstripes. He had stark white hair, a white goatee, and narrow brown eyes. He looked distinguished and impeccably dressed and groomed. With a warm smile, he said, “Look at you!"

My face crinkled with confusion, but I was getting used to that.

"I thought I’d stop by to check on you, and here you are, awake. I'm so relieved." He moved beside the bed and took my hand.

My blank reaction wasn't what he was expecting.