Page 25 of Safe Place

Why is this guy so obsessed with me eating?

“You should’ve woken me up,” I snap. “I can’t lose this job, Micah.”

He frowns but doesn’t budge. “You were out cold. Clearly exhausted. I wasn’t going to wake you.”

“I’m sorry,” I mutter, breath shaky, as I grab my things and walk towards the elevator. “I’m just—this is bad. I can’t afford to screw up right now.”

He walks over, then reaches out and catches my arm—not harshly, but enough to stop me.

Then he pulls out his phone, finds a contact, and waits. “Marianne. Hey, this is Micah. Can you call Boston Brews—it’s the cafe next to The Haven. One of their employees missed her shift tonight. Can you smooth things over, make sure she doesn’t get fired? Do whatever it takes. Thanks.”

He hangs up and turns back to me. “It's going to be fine. Sit. Eat. Please.”

I don't move. “You can't just do that.”

Micah blinks. “Do what? Fix it?”

“Make a call.” My voice comes out steadier than I feel. “One call and it's all just—handled. Like it never happened. Like I never have to deal with any consequences.”

“Would you rather get fired?”

“That's not the point.” I set my bag down because my hands are shaking and I don't want him to see that. “You don't even understand what you just did. I worked really hard to get that job. I showed up every single shift. I covered for people. And now someone you have on speed dial is going to call them and smooth things over, and I'll get to keep my job—but it won't be because of anything I did. It'll be because of you.”

Micah opens his mouth.

“And you didn't even ask me.” My voice cracks slightly on it. “You just did it.”

Silence. He doesn't have an answer for that—I can see it, just a small tightening around his jaw.

“You're right,” he says finally. “I should've asked. I’m sorry.”

It doesn't fix it. But I sit down anyway, because I'm starving, and I don't have the energy to stay angry at someone who is, frustratingly, trying.

“I can take care of myself, Micah,” I add. I am relieved, but he can’t know that.

“I’m sure you can, Sophie.” His voice is calm.

The food spread across the counter is absurd. Sushi rolls, two pizza boxes, three different kinds of burgers, fries in paper cups, and little plastic containers of dipping sauces. I stare at it all with wide eyes, laughing as Micah takes a huge bite of a burger like it’s completely normal.

“You ordered all this?”

He shrugs, mouth full. “You said anything’s fine, so I got everything.”

I can’t stop smiling. The weight I’ve been carrying all day feels lighter now. “This is ridiculous.”

“Grant and Wyatt came by earlier and stole some,” he adds, reaching for a slice of pizza. “I tried to keep the rest safe for us.”

We eat and talk casually—about classes, food, our majors. I feel normal. Comfortable. I don’t feel any urgency in my chest. I’d almost forgotten what this feels like.

After finishing half a burger and a couple pieces of sushi, I lean back and sigh. “That nap earlier was probably the best sleep I’ve had in my entire life. Your couch is more comfortable than any bed I’ve ever owned.” Then, more apologetically, “I’m sorry I snapped earlier. I can get cranky after a nap.”

“No worries. I get that.” Micah gives me a look. “And you slept like a rock.”

“I really appreciate all of this. You have no idea. I’ve been stressing about a midterm for my American Government class. I was worried I wouldn’t have time to study, but now that I accidentally missed my shift…”

“You’re welcome?” he grins.

I laugh and glance at the time. “On that note, I should probably get going. I should use the night to study.”