Page 4 of Stone Coast (Tyson Wild Thriller)

" I 'm mad at you," Olivia said.

I looked at her with confusion—I had no memory of her whatsoever.

“You had me worried sick. I've had no one to bitch to for the last week. No one to share gossip with. And there has been a lot of juicy gossip, let me tell you,” she said with a mischievous grin.

She leaned close and stared into my eyes, trying to see what was in my brain. In a hushed voice, she said, "Grayson says you don't remember shit.”

I shook my head, but it hurt to shake.

“That's okay. There are plenty of things I’d like to forget. Consider yourself lucky. A fresh start. Nothing in your past to haunt you. No embarrassing memories.”

Olivia was a gorgeous platinum blonde with hair in a sculpted hairdo that hung above her shoulders. She had alluring blue eyes, high cheekbones, full lips, and the kind of curves that make men get silly. In another era, she could have been a pinup queen painted on the side of bombers.

She whispered. "I would have brought some liquor, but I figure right now you don't need to kill any more brain cells."

I wanted to laugh but didn’t have the strength.

Olivia was sassy, spunky, and struck me as the type of woman who spoke her mind without a filter. She didn't care what anyone else thought.

I liked her instantly.

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.