And every time she does, something inside me clenches, the need tofix itgrowing sharper.
I’m about to say something that will force the conversation, make her tell me what she’s thinking, when she speaks first.
“I should probably head out soon,” she says, still focused on her laptop. “I have a research meeting with Professor De Vries.”
My head snaps up. “What research meeting?”
She glances at me, startled by the sharpness in my tone.
“Oh… Sorry, it must have slipped my mind. She invited me to assist with her new project. I like Professor De Vries and the topic is interesting to me, so I said yes.”
I lean back in my chair, exhaling slowly as I process this.
How long is this commitment? How often will these meetings be? How many nights will I have to go without her?
This wasn’t in my calculations. I don’t like it.
“You didn’t mention it,” I say, watching her closely.
She shrugs, the corner of her mouth tilting up slightly. “It’s not a big deal.”
I don’t respond immediately, weighing my next words. Olivia sees this as an academic win, but all I can see is a variable that is outside of my control.
“I could have helped you arrange something better,” I say, testing her.
She laughs lightly, shaking her head. “I don’t need you to pull strings for me, Nate.”
It’s said with affection, but I hear the message underneath it.I don’t want you to handle this for me.
I don’t like that either.
She starts packing up her things, and a sharp, irrational wave of frustration flares in my chest. Every moment she spends apart from me feels unnecessary. What does she need outside of what I can give her?
Still, I don’t press. Not yet.
Instead, I follow her to the door, standing behind her as she zips her bag. When she turns back to me, she smiles, pressing up onto her toes to kiss me goodbye. When she tries to pull away, I don’t let her. My hand slides to her nape, holding her in place.
“I’ll pick you up when it’s over,” I murmur against her lips.
She exhales a quiet laugh, shaking her head as she presses a palm to my chest. “It’s all right, my love. I don’t know what time it’ll end, and my dorm is right there. Don’t worry about me,okay? I don’t want you to spend your evening waiting around for me.”
As if I could do anything else while she’s gone.
“Olivia, my time is yours. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be there.”
Her defiance softens into something gentler—but not surrender. Instead, she touches my cheek, her thumb brushing lightly across my jaw.
“No, Nathaniel,” she says, gentle but firm. “You need some time to yourself.”
Then she adds teasingly, “Besides, I need to give you a chance to miss me. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and all that.”
I fight the urge to scowl. “I miss you already.”
She just laughs and kisses me again.
This time, when we pull apart, I press my forehead to hers, my grip still tight at her waist.
“You’ll sleep here tomorrow.” My voice leaves no room for argument.
