Chapter 58
Thea
When they first told me someone tried to erase my memories of the last week, I’d nearly laughed. Things like that don’t happen outside of fantasy novels and TV shows.
Then I felt it—the gap. The absence of what had been.
And it was devastating. A hole in my heart, and I couldn’t remember what used to fill it.
I sobbed to my dad, my aunt Megan, to the police officers who all did their best to tell me what caused these bruises around my neck and the fear deep in my heart.
No matter what they told me, I couldn’t seem to find peace.
Until he walked in.
Pierce.
A beautiful name for the tortured soul who just sat down beside me.
He’s tall and tanned and reminds me of The Rock, but with hair.
I’d almost be afraid if he weren’t so obviously struggling.
Megan told me he helped me get out of Mexico, risking his life many times to save mine.
The fact that I know this man but can’t remember him is almost too much for my frazzled mind to understand.
I’m a therapist. I’ve studied the brain enough to know all is not lost. I can’t remember him, yet I can feel him, imagine what it would be like to hold his hand, to lie next to him, to kiss him.
My face burns at the thought of doing all those things with a virtual stranger. But I feel as if we did. Or at least, as if we could.
I reach for my bracelet, anchoring myself to be brave, but this bracelet is wrong. It’s brown and there’s a pancake charm on it. Why am I not wearing my permanent one?
“You lost your bracelet.” Pierce says, noticing my confusion. “I’ll get you a new one.”
He can’t replace what that bracelet meant to me. But maybe my bracelet falling off is a sign that it’s time to move on. This one isn’t so bad.
“Pierce,” I say his name again, hoping it will jog a memory, but it doesn’t.
He starts, jumping, then wincing and placing a hand above the bandage on his leg. “Yes?”
“What’s your last name?”
His eyes soften and a dimple creases his cheek. I love dimples.
“Abernathy.”
“Do you like me, Pierce Abernathy?”
Dad coughs, and I should be embarrassed. But losing my memories grants me some leeway here.
Pierce turns so he’s fully facing me, his emotions clear on his face. “I do.”
“Will you remind me?”
“I will.”