Page 15 of His To Unravel
Carolyn jumps in, her tone conspiratorial. “Apparently, someone saw you outside your dorm last night…withNathaniel Caldwell.” She leans forward with a smirk, watching me closely. “And they may or may not have seen him kiss you on the cheek!”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I busy myself with stirring my coffee, shrugging as casually as I can manage. “He just walked me back after our project session. Nothing to get excited over.”
Sophie laughs, nudging my arm. “Oh, please. The guy doesn’t giveanyonea second glance, and he was seenkissingyou, Olivia.”
I manage a laugh, brushing it off. “It was friendly. You know, like a thank-you or something.”
Carolyn leans back, arms crossed, a gleam of mischief in her eyes. “A thank-you kiss from Nathaniel Caldwell. Sure, Olivia.”
Just then, my phone vibrates in my bag, and a thrill zips through me as I fish it out and see the name on the screen.
NATHANIEL
Is breakfast living up to expectations?
I can’t help the smile that pulls at my lips.
Not quite as exciting as pancakes for dinner, but it’ll do.
As I hit send, Sophie catches my eye, still grinning, and asks, “So, what’s it like, Olivia?”
I blink. “What’s what like?”
She chuckles, shaking her head. “Having Nathaniel Caldwell’sattention on you. You’ve been buried in textbooks for three years, and now you’re suddenly…interesting.”
I know she means it as a joke, but the words still land a little sharp—like I’ve only just become worth noticing.
I take another sip of my coffee to hide my expression, aware of their curious stares. “Honestly…he’s nice. Really attentive.” I feel my face heat up, and quickly add, “But it’s not like that. We’re just studying together.”
It’s still too new—too undefined—to offer up for dissection. I’m not even sure what it is yet.
Carolyn exchanges a look with Sophie, then turns back to me with a grin. “Come on. Just a ‘nice, attentive guy’? Don’t sell him—or yourself—short, Liv.”
My phone buzzes again, and I glance down, my heart skipping.
NATHANIEL
I’ll take that as a compliment. Next time, let me know, and I’ll make sure it’s worth the comparison.
The warmth in my cheeks spreads, and I’m quick to type a reply.
We’ll see…
I look up to find Carolyn watching me. “It’s okay, you know,” she says, voice quieter, “to let someone in. You don’t always have to be the serious one.”
Sophie nods, her expression softer now too. “Yeah, Liv. If it makes you happy, then…why not?”
Their words strike a chord in me, unsettling yet comforting.
I’ve always seen myself as someone with a singular focus, someone too occupied with goals to leave room for…more. Yet,here I am, feeling a strange blend of excitement and apprehension that I can’t quite shake.
Another message comes through, almost like it’s in sync with my thoughts.
NATHANIEL
And how’s the company? As charming as last night?
I press my lips together, fighting a grin as I reply.
