Page 8 of His To Unravel
“Here for a second, then gone for a semester,” Tyler says with a laugh. “Seriously, Olivia, you disappear every term. You’d think the dean’s list is the only thing you live for.”
Carolyn leans forward, eyes gleaming with mock curiosity. “Do you even know how to take a break?”
I feel a small pang of defensiveness but force a laugh, trying to play along. “Very funny. I actually do have fun sometimes.” Even as I say it, I’m not entirely sure I believe it.Funseems like something I misplaced somewhere between study sessions, internships, and meticulously color-coded calendars.
“Hey, we get it. You’ve got to keep those scholarship people happy,” Landon says. Though he’s usually understanding, there’s something in his tone that makes me feel like I’m oddly distant from their circle.
“It’s not just that,” I find myself saying, feeling the weight of my own words. “I just want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to, you know…actually make it out there. Not all of us are on dad’s bankroll.”
It’s meant as a joke, but the truth of it sits heavy between us for a moment. I know they understand that about me—I’ve been working since I got here to carve out my space, to hold onto it. But that doesn’t change the fact that I sometimes feel like I’ll never belong here.
Sophie breaks the silence with a sigh, shaking her head with both affection and mild exasperation. “Olivia, you’re going to burn out before you even get yourfirst job.”
“And I’llstillend up working for you one day,” Tyler adds, smirking. “Our future boss, right here, folks.”
I force a laugh, as it dawns on me how much they don’t fully see. It’s easier to let them think my ambition is a kind of quirk, a habit I’ll eventually outgrow, rather than the survival mechanism it is. My drive is woven into every part of me, built from years of expectation, from always being “the one who’ll make it.”
Carolyn tilts her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Speaking of hard work, I heard you got paired with Nathaniel Caldwell for that project. Lucky you.”
At the mention of Nathaniel, I feel a flicker of something I can’t quite place. “Yeah, we’re working together.”
“And?” Sophie leans in, practically vibrating with excitement. “What’s he like? I mean, I’m not one to swoon, but he’s…you know.” She flutters her lashes dramatically, and everyone laughs.
I shrug, trying to seem nonchalant. “He’s…smart, organized. Knows his stuff. That’s for sure.”
Carolyn raises an eyebrow. “Only Olivia would describe someone like Nathaniel Caldwell as ‘organized.’”
I roll my eyes, feeling a blush creep up as I try to hide my smile. “Look, it’s just a project, okay? It shouldn’t matter that he is…objectively good-looking.”
“Good-looking,” Tyler scoffs. “Olivia, the man looks like he was carved from marble. A sexy, brooding statue.”
I shake my head, laughing softly. “You exaggerate,” I say simply, trying to force my thoughts about Nathaniel to stay professional, ignoring the undercurrent of excitement humming through me.
Carolyn rolls her eyes, unconvinced. “Oh, come on. You do realize he’s probably the most eligible bachelor at Halford, right? Not to mention,ridiculously handsome. Mostwishthey were lucky enough to get that close to him.”
Sophie nods enthusiastically, grinning. “Yeah, come on, Olivia.He’s practically Halford royalty. Just being in his presence… I’d be too busy staring to actually get any work done.” Beside her, Tyler rolls his eyes, feigning a yawn.
My cheeks warm despite myself.
“Well, he’s easy to work with,” I manage to say, careful to keep my voice casual. “And we’re both just focused on completing the project.”
Carolyn gives me a knowing look. “Sure, but you’re not completely immune, Olivia. You gotta give us something.” She pauses, arching an eyebrow. “What’s he like one-on-one?”
Her question catches me off guard—not because I don’t have an answer, but because I have too many.
The weight of his gaze when he’s focused, the way his voice has a gentle command to it, the effortless confidence he wears like a second skin… How he has a way of making the world around him seem smaller, like his gravity pulls everything into his orbit.
But I can’t say that. Not to them, not even to myself.
“He’s just…Nathaniel,” I reply with a shrug, forcing a light tone. “I mean, he’s serious about the project. He doesn’t come across as someone who’s all that big on small talk.”
Sophie and Carolyn exchange a glance, as if they can see right through me.
Carolyn leans back, beaming. “Sounds like he’s already gotten under your skin. A guy like him has a way of doing that—even when you think you’re just ‘working’ together.” She emphasizes the word with air quotes.
I laugh to keep things light, but something in me hums with awareness at her words, and I realize just how much Nathaniel has crept into my thoughts since that first project meeting.
I find myself replaying moments from our sessions together—how he looked at me when I spoke, the simmering intensity behind his gaze. This pull I feel… It’s something I can’t quite put a name to, but I can’t deny that it’s there.
