8: Study Partner Problems

MIA

“So I’m thinking we focus on the market analysis first, then build out the financial projections based on those numbers.” Ryan Martinez flipped his laptop around to show me his outline. “What do you think?”

I studied the screen, grateful for something normal to focus on. Group projects. Financial modeling. Things that made sense, unlike everything else in my life lately.

“Yeah, that works,” I nodded. “I can handle the competitive analysis section if you want to take the revenue forecasting.”

“Perfect.” Ryan grinned. He had an easy smile and he was nice. “You’re way better at the research stuff anyway. I saw your analysis on the Starbucks case study,” he made a playful hooting sound, which earned us a few curious looks. I just laughed it off. “It was really good.”

“Thanks.”

We were set up at a table on the library’s second floor, textbooks and laptops spread between us. The library is moderately busy with students cramming between classes. The quiet hum of voices and turning pages should have been soothing but the feeling of being watched hadn’t left me since the incident with the van.

Except, I didn't feel like I was in danger this time.

I glanced up and saw Xavier sitting three tables away, supposedly studying economics. His attention kept drifting toward us. His jaw was clenched so tight I was worried he’d crack a tooth.

What the hell was his problem?

Ever since the parking lot incident two days ago, he’d been everywhere. At the cafeteria when I grabbed lunch. In the quad when I walked to class. Now here, in the library, pretending to study while staring holes through Ryan.

“Mia? You okay?”

I snapped my attention back to Ryan. “Sorry, yeah. What were you saying?”

“I was asking if Thursday works for our next meeting?” He leaned closer to point at something on my screen. “We should probably get the draft done before—”

A book slammed shut across the library. Loud enough to make several people look up.

Xavier was gripping his textbook with white knuckles, his entire body rigid. When he caught me looking, his eyes flashed with something dark before he forced his gaze back down to his page.

Ryan followed my line of sight. “Is that Xavier Volkov?”

“Yeah.”

“Huh. Didn’t know he used the library.” Ryan dropped his voice. “He’s so intense. I heard he made a freshman cry during practice last week for missing a layup.”

I’d heard that story too. The freshman had been crying because of a family issue, and Xavier noticed and sent him home early. Somehow, the story changed on campus. I didn’t correct Ryan.

Let Xavier have his scary reputation. Maybe it would keep him from following me around like some kind of overprotective stalker.

We worked for another thirty minutes. Every time Ryan leaned close to look at my laptop or ask a question, Xavier would conveniently drop a book or make some loud ass noise that would gain everybody’s attention. It was unnerving and it made it hard to concentrate.

I wonder why the librarian hasn’t told him to keep it down. Anyone else would have sent out by now. I shot another look at him and saw the way his jaw was clenched. He looked like an angry storm. A predator ready to jump on anyone who came too close and it made sense why no one went near him.

He was frightening.

“I need a different book,” I said, finally cracking, unable to bear it anymore. “The marketing one. I’ll be right back.”

“Want me to come—”

“No, I’ve got it.”

I headed for the marketing section, needing a minute away from both Ryan’s friendly chatter and Xavier’s suffocating attention. The books I needed were on a high shelf. I stood on my toes, adding a few inches to my height so I could take it.

A hand reached over my shoulder, easily grasping the book.

I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Heat radiated from his body. He was close enough that I could smell whatever soap he used. Clean and woodsy that made my head spin.

“Let me,” Xavier’s voice was low and rough.

I reached up at the same moment he brought the book down and our hands collided.

Electricity shot up my arm, so sudden that I didn't know when I let out a small gasp. The buzz raced across my skin, pooling low in my stomach, making my breath catch.

Xavier went completely still behind me. I could feel the rise and fall of his chest, the way his breathing had stopped entirely.

Slowly, I turned to face him.

He was staring at our hands. His pupils were blown wide, nearly swallowing the amber of his irises. When he finally looked up at me, the intensity in his gaze made my knees weak.

“Mia,” the deep timbre of his voice made heat flood through me.

My breath was trapped in my chest and I could hear the sound of my pulse thrumming. A quiet voice reminded me this wasn’t appropriate and I should step back. And I would have but I've lost every function and every never ending of mine was on fire.

Someone coughed and I blinked, my senses coming back.

“What are you doing here?” I managed to whisper, looking around the library to make sure no one could hear or see us.

“Studying.” His voice was strained.

“Bullshit. You’ve been following me.”

His jaw clenched. “I haven’t—”

“Library. Cafeteria. I saw you outside my economics class yesterday.” I yanked my hand away from his, immediately missing the warmth. “What’s going on, Xavier? Why do you keep showing up wherever I am?”

“I’m not—” He ran his free hand through his hair, that gesture of frustration I was starting to recognize. “It’s not what you think.”

“Then what is it?”

His eyes darted over my shoulder toward where Ryan was still sitting. Something dark crossed his face. “You should be careful.”

“Careful of what? Ryan? He’s harmless.”

“You don’t know that.”

“And you do?” Anger spiked through me. “You don’t know anything about him. Or me. We’ve barely spoken.”

That seemed to hit him hard. He flinched like I’d slapped him.

I didn’t understand him at all. Everyone said he didn’t do relationships. He barely even looks at women. What does this mean, him following me around?

I shook my head, reminding myself I was engaged, even if I didn't want it. I shouldn’t care what he is doing, and it especially should not be making me react this way.

“You’re right. We’ve barely spoken. So maybe you should stop following me around like you have some kind of claim on me.”

The word ‘claim’ made something flash in his eyes. His hands curled into fists at his sides.

“Stay away from me, Xavier.” I grabbed the book from his hand and turned away, shaking off whatever it was I saw in his eyes. I’ve noticed their color changes a lot. Was that normal?

“Whatever weird obsession this is, I’m not interested.”

I walked back to my table on shaking legs, hyper-aware of him standing there watching me. Ryan looked up from his phone as I sat down.

“You okay? You look flushed.”

“I’m fine.” I opened the book with more force than necessary. “Let’s just get this done.”

I couldn’t concentrate with Xavier’s stare burning into me from across the library. After another ten minutes of pretending to read the same paragraph over and over, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Actually, I’m not feeling great,” I lied, closing my book. “Can we pick this up on Thursday?”

Ryan’s face fell slightly but he nodded. “Yeah, sure. Feel better.”

I packed up my stuff quickly, not looking at Xavier’s table, and practically fled the library.

The cool air outside hit my flushed face. I speed-walked toward my dorm, my heart racing and that electric feeling from Xavier’s touch still tingling across my skin.

What the hell was wrong with me? I should be focused on surviving the next three months before my father dragged me back to marry Silas. I should be keeping my head down, not getting tangled up with a basketball captain who seemed to be slowly losing his mind.

And I definitely shouldn’t be replaying the way Xavier had said my name, low and rough like a prayer.

I dumped my backpack on my bed the moment I walked in through the door. Ignoring the books and papers scattered across the comforter from the opened zipper.

My hand paused against my back where I went to unhook my bra. There was a folded piece of paper that definitely hadn’t been there when I’d packed my bag this morning.

My hands trembled as I unfolded it and read the message scrawled in neat block letters.

‘They’re getting closer. Stop staying out late. You’re not safe.’

I turned the back to look for a name or something. It was all blank.

My knees felt weak, a shiver skated down my spine at the thought of someone getting into my backpack without me noticing.

My skin crawled as I looked around my empty dorm room like the walls might have answers.

Who was ‘they’? Silas’s men? My father’s security team? And who was warning me?

I thought about Xavier’s intense stare in the library. The way he kept showing up wherever I was. His insistence that I needed to be careful.

Did he write this?