Page 10 of Before the Night Falls
Suddenly, everything around her began to spin.
CHAPTERFOUR
Olivia staredat the pink petal.
Her head throbbed as memories rushed back.
Though she’d tried to forget the nightmare, memories still haunted her, the smallest thing setting off panic.
Take a deep breath, she reminded herself. Lyle’s voice echoed in her head.
Breathe in. Hold it. Count to five. Breathe out.
“You ready?” a deep voice said behind her.
She jumped and spun around.
Tyson stood there wearing navy-blue exercise shorts and a white T-shirt.
He studied her face and frowned. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
Olivia put a hand over her heart. “Oh, I’m . . . I’m—fine. I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine.”
She pointed at the petal, trying to keep the tremble from her voice. “Someone have flowers delivered recently?”
Tyson squinted before reaching down to pick up the object. “Flowers? No, I think that’s some ribbon my housekeeper used to wrap a gift for me. One of my assistants at the office had a birthday yesterday.”
Olivia let out a feeble laugh.Ribbon? Of course.
Yet she’d seen a rose petal.
Her cheeks heated when she realized her foolish overreaction.
Control your thoughts, she reminded herself. Tyson would think she’d really lost it if she didn’t let this go. She had to remain professional at all costs. The last thing she needed was people feeling sorry for her.
She cleared her throat. “That’s nice of you to get gifts for your assistants.”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “I try.”
She jabbed his shoulder. “But don’t be too much of a nice guy. I might talk you out of doing this program with me if you are.”
“Believe me—that won’t be happening.” He crossed his arms as if showing how utterly unmovable he was.
Balling her hands into fists, Olivia boxed them in front of her, ready for a fight. “I’m ready for you, Tyson Stone.”
Tyson’s smile remained. “We’re about to see what you’re made of . . .”
“Hold on.” She raised her hand. “Let’s not get carried away.”
“But that’s the fun part. Pushing our limits and finding that strength deep down inside us.”
“For you, maybe. I’m a weenie. A wimp. A physical fitness failure. A junk food junkie. I don’t think you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into.” The light-hearted banter began to relax her as she followed Tyson downstairs.
“I believe in you.” His voice sounded steady and confident—almost believable.
“You might change your mind after we get started.”
