Page 47 of His To Unravel
Tonight,I remind myself, is aboutme and the girls.
Even if I know that, wherever I go, Nathaniel will never be far from my thoughts.
Space Cowboy humswith voices and laughter, the steady beat of indie rock pulsing in the background.
Strands of twinkling fairy lights cast warm shadows that flicker across the worn wooden booths and eclectic memorabilia decorating the walls.
I settle into the corner of our booth as Carolyn raises her glass with a wink. “To us finally letting loose!”
“To that!” I echo, clinking my glass with Sophie’s. The cool weight of the diamond necklace at my collarbone serves as a subtle, constant reminder of Nathaniel’s watchful influence, even when he’s not here. The thought sends a small shiver down myspine, a blend of exhilaration and something deeper I’m not ready to name.
“Speaking of letting loose,” Sophie teases, leaning in with an amused glint in her eye. “Spare no detail, Olivia—what’s it like being swept off your feet by the one and only Nathaniel Caldwell?”
Heat creeps up my neck, and I bite back a smile. “You know, it’s…nice.” The understatement feels safe. Nathaniel is so much more thannicebut voicing that aloud feels like revealing too much.
“Nice?” Carolyn scoffs. “That’s it? Come on, you’ve got to give us more than that. I’ve seen the way he looks at you—like you hung the moon!”
I laugh nervously. The truth is, I live for those moments when Nathaniel’s gaze finds mine and the rest of the world falls away until it’s just us. But admitting that to my friends will make this power he has over me feel more real—and I’m not sure I’m ready for that.
Before I can respond, movement by the entrance catches my eye.
Tyler strides in, followed by Landon. Sophie’s brows shoot up. “Excuse me?” she calls out as Tyler beelines toward our booth. “This is a no-boys-allowed situation, babe.”
Tyler just grins, entirely unapologetic. “What can I say?” He bends down to press a kiss to her cheek. “I missed you.”
She rolls her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips betrays her. “You’re lucky you’re cute,” she mutters, already letting him tug her to her feet and lead her toward the dance floor.
Carolyn watches them go, then leans toward me with a scoff. “Can you believe the audacity? Crashing ladies’ night like they’re doing us a favor.” Still, her eyes drift toward the bar. “Though… I guess if Tyler is here, maybe his equally attractive friends are too.”
She nudges me playfully. “I’m going to go check out that talldrink of water over there. Text if you need to be rescued.” She winks before walking off with a flirty wave.
Then, it’s just Landon and me.
This was supposed to be a night to remember who I am without him—but now that the guys have shown up, all I can think about is how much I wish it were Nathaniel sliding into the booth beside me instead.
“Hey,” he greets, dropping into the seat next to me. There’s a slight slur to his words, his breath carrying the sharp scent of vodka.
“Hey,” I reply, forcing a smile and taking a sip of my drink.
He leans back, eyes narrowing as they trace the rim of his glass. “So, how’s life with your new shadow?” The casual tone doesn’t mask the bite beneath it.
I frown. “Nathaniel?”
“Who else?” He huffs a humorless laugh. “I’m just wondering how long before you see what’s right in front of you.”
Blood rushes to my ears, but I keep my tone measured. “Landon, we’ve been over this. I am seeing Nathaniel, and I do not have feelings for you.”
He looks at me and I see the frustration simmering beneath his usual easygoing demeanor. “You’re not the type to fall for a guy like that. He’s?—”
“Stop,” I interrupt, the word sharp. “You don’t even know him.”
Landon’s jaw locks, and for a moment, the air between us feels suffocating. “I knowyou, Olivia. And I know that you deserve better than someone who will…” His words trail off, leaving an unspoken warning hanging between us.
“You’re crossing a line,” I say evenly, setting my glass down.
His eyes soften, regret flickering there before stubbornness takes its place. “I can’t just sit back and watch this happen. Whenwe both knowwewould be so good together. Weareso good together, Olivia.”
Before I can respond, he reaches out and wraps his fingers around my wrist. My pulse ratchets, and I jerk back instinctively.
