Page 125 of Safe Place

Something pulls at the back of my mind—But tonight isn't the night.

Grant clinks his fork against a plastic cup.

“Alright, alright,” he announces, standing dramatically on the couch. “Everyone shut up.”

Sophie groans under her breath. “Oh god.”

Grant grins. “I’d just like to say—I called this. From day one. I said, ‘That girl is gonna be Mrs. Vale.’ They showed up wearing matching shirts, and next thing I know, Micah's her personal Uber. Drove her around like a lovesick intern. Waited for her like a lost golden retriever in a luxury car.”

Sophie hides her face in my arm again, laughing, completely mortified.

Grant lifts his lemonade. “To Sophie Vale—the only woman on earth who could expose just how much of a love-struck golden boy Micah’s been all along. Who knew?”

Everyone cheers.

Sophie’s still laughing, blushing all over, and I’m pretty sure this is the happiest I’ve ever seen her. She’s relaxed, glowing, home—not just with me, but here, with them. With the people who have my back. And now, hers. This is her safe place.

She fits. She’s not alone anymore.

And I get to watch her grow—become who she was always meant to be. I get to protect her, cheer for her, and just be hers.

I don’t know what the next chapter will look like, but I know this: I’ll be right beside her for every second of it.

Because Sophie Vale is my wife.

And loving her is the best thing I’ll ever do.