Page 14 of Before the Night Falls
But that was okay. She didn’t care what the man thought of her.
It wasn’t as if she was looking for a potential relationship.
No, Olivia knew she needed to deal with her trauma before she let anyone else into her life emotionally. Lyle had told her that was only wise.
She couldn’t have a healthy relationship until she conquered more of her demons. Until she was healthy and healed.
It made sense. If forty days could reset her habits and health, could it reset her trauma also? The idea intrigued her.
However, what was with Tyson checking his phone so many times? Afterward, he’d looked so concerned.
He seemed to have a picture-perfect life. But Olivia knew what that was like.
Very few people lived the ideal lives they presented—herself included.
Shewasinterested in digging a little deeper into him, however. Her viewers deserved to know the real man behind this program. But she had a feeling that getting deeper would be a challenge.
It was a good thing she always liked challenges.
Besides, maybe this program would be a good distraction for her—and she could use one of those.
Maybe it would help her stop questioning things.
Questioning the feeling she had of being watched.
Questioning how she mysteriously smelled roses when none were around.
Questioning whether or not Brian Elliot was truly the man who’d abducted her—or if he’d been set up and the police had killed the wrong man.
Tension stretched taut across her chest at the thought.
Yes, a distraction was just what she needed.
CHAPTERSIX
Even though itwas close to midnight, Olivia was wide awake.
She’d been pacing her room for the past twenty minutes, waiting for exhaustion to hit. It hadn’t yet.
Everyone else was probably in bed. Instead, she felt wired.
Finally, she put some shorts and a T-shirt on and wandered downstairs.
A TV blared in the distance.
Following the sound, she found Wes in the family room. It appeared he had the same idea.
“What are you watching?” She plopped on the couch beside him.
“The news.” He turned the volume down.
“Anything exciting?”
“Only that ratchet stuff from our competition.” Wes shifted toward her. “What are you still doing up?”
“Can’t sleep.” Olivia watched the newscaster on the screen without really listening.
“Nightmares again?”
