Page 20 of His To Unravel (His & Hers Duet #1)

FOURTEEN

olivia

Morning light spills across the campus pathway as clusters of students hurry between classes or linger on benches.

The buzz of footsteps, snippets of conversation, and occasional bursts of laughter—it all blends into a comforting background hum.

I walk at a leisurely pace, enjoying the crisp air and the brief reprieve before my next lecture. It’s nice, this moment in between things. No expectations. No decisions. Just air and space and quiet.

A familiar voice cuts through the calm. “Olivia, wait up!”

I turn to find Landon approaching, and a flicker of irritation sparks in my chest, but I smother it with a polite smile.

He stops a few feet away, his posture tense. “Can we talk?” The way his eyes search mine feels invasive, like he’s looking for answers I’m not ready to give.

I nod, adjusting the strap of my bag on my shoulder. “Sure.”

Landon shifts uncomfortably, glancing over his shoulder before turning back to me. “I need you to hear me out. It’s about Nathaniel. ”

Of course it is. I keep my expression neutral, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.

“Look, I’m only bringing this up because I care,” he continues. There’s a desperation in his voice that tests my patience. “There’s something off about him. I ran into him outside your dorm the other morning and he was very…territorial.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I’m capable of making my own decisions.”

Landon’s eyes darken, his lips pressing into a thin line. “You don’t understand. Guys like him—they’re controlling. They don’t just date, they claim .”

I cross my arms, annoyance blooming under my skin. “Oh I understand. This isn’t about Nathaniel. It’s about you not wanting me to date anyone else.”

“That’s not fair,” he fires back, but his voice falters.

“No, what’s not fair is you making judgment calls based on jealousy.”

Landon’s shoulders slump in frustrated defeat.

“Just…keep your eyes open,” he says finally, the weight of his gaze making it feel less like advice and more like a warning.

I nod curtly. “I will.”

As I turn and walk away, my thoughts—predictably—drift to Nathaniel.

Landon’s warnings, well-meaning or not, feel hollow against the things I know to be true. The tenderness in the way Nathaniel says my name, the way my body ignites under his touch, how cherished he makes me feel.

Yes, his attention is intense, even overwhelming at times, but he also makes me feel seen in a way that no one else ever has. The comfort in that thought settles over me like a warm, invisible cloak.

But beneath that reassurance is another truth—one I haven’t fully acknowledged until now.

Nathaniel’s influence is everywhere, creeping into every decision—a realization that’s as comforting as it is disconcerting.

I’ve let him become so entwined in my day-to-day life that the thought of his absence there feels like a loss I can’t bear.

Nathaniel’s intensity isn’t a deterrent—it’s a lure. It draws me in, makes me feel alive in ways that cautious friendships and careful plans never could.

I draw a steadying breath. Maybe Landon’s concern isn’t entirely misplaced.

And that is why, when I reach for my phone, it’s not Nathaniel’s name I pull up.

I’ll take you up on your suggestion, Sophie. Let’s do ladies’ night this Friday at Space Cowboy. We deserve it.

As I send the message, a sense of anticipation bubbles up, mingling with the distant hum of unease.

This is a step I need—a night to reconnect with the parts of myself that exist outside of Nathaniel’s orbit. But even as I walk to my next class, I know that wherever I go, a part of him will be there too. My ever-present protector.

The Friday evening sky deepens from a rich blue into a velvety indigo. Around my neck, the diamond necklace sparkles, catching the warm light of the room.

I stand in front of the narrow mirror in my dorm room, adjusting the sleek, maroon dress that hugs my curves and drapes elegantly down to a thigh-high slit. The boldness of it makes my pulse quicken. For once, I don’t feel the need to hide any part of myself and that thrill feels new.

As I apply a final touch of lipstick, my phone begins vibrating insistently on the edge of my desk. A shiver of anticipation courses through me when I see Nathaniel’s name on the screen.

“Hi,” I greet, the warmth in my voice reflecting the spark he’s lit within me.

“Hey, baby.” His deep voice flows through the line, both smooth and commanding. “How’s your night going?”

The corners of my lips lift with a hint of mischief. “Good. Almost ready for ladies’ night.”

There’s a pause—just long enough for my nerves to kick in, wondering how he’ll react to this development.

“And what are you wearing?” His tone is laced with curiosity tinged with something darker, which does nothing to calm my racing heart.

I smooth my hands over my dress as heat creeps up my neck. “Something a little more daring than usual,” I tease, the excitement in my voice betraying how much he affects me.

There’s silence on the other end, an expectant pause that makes my skin tingle.

“Show me,” he finally says, the command tempered by the intimate edge in his voice.

Biting my lip, I switch the call to video, positioning the camera so he can see the dress in full. His face appears on screen, eyes dark and unwavering, taking in every detail with a reverence that steals my breath.

“Breathtaking,” he murmurs, more to himself than to me. The single word wraps around me, heady and consuming. His eyes flick briefly to the necklace, satisfaction glinting there before his focus returns to me. My chest tightens, caught between exhilaration and a sudden bashfulness.

“I’m glad you like it,” I say softly, the playfulness giving way to something more intimate.

Nathaniel’s gaze shifts and his jaw clenches for a fleeting second before his expression smooths over with practiced ease. “I wish I could see it in person,” he admits, voice low, an unmistakable claim threading through the words. “But…I want you to have a good time.”

The way he says it, the reluctant approval, makes my heart stutter. It’s a reminder of how deep his hold on me goes and how willingly I surrender to it.

“Thank you,” I whisper, unable to find more fitting words.

He nods, the slight upturn of his lips both reassuring and proprietary. “Be safe, Olivia.”

The line disconnects, but the ghost of his gaze lingers like an invisible caress. My cheeks flush, and a familiar rush of excitement courses through me. Nathaniel’s approval is a heady thing—something I crave without fully understanding why.

I catch my reflection in the mirror again, noting the light in my eyes. Though tonight is an assertion that even with Nathaniel’s undeniable presence in my life, I can still be my own person.

Tonight , I remind myself, is about me and the girls.

Even if I know that, wherever I go, Nathaniel will never be far from my thoughts.

Space Cowboy hums with 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 my spine, 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 than nice but 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 tall drink 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?”