Page 34 of Safe Place

“What? A date? Okay, see? He’s definitely into you.”

“It’s not a date. His two friends are coming too. Either way, I can’t.”

“You have another shift somewhere?”

I shake my head. “No. It’s actually one of the rare nights I don’t have work or class. But I’ve got a ton to catch up on—readings, papers, all of it. I’m really behind.”

Which isn’t a lie. But it’s not the whole truth either. I called in sick for tutoring today to avoid Carter. I’m stuck. I need the income, but I can’t go back if it means dealing with him again. And there’s no world in which I’d ever say yes to what he’s asking. So for now, the only plan I have is avoidance.

Poppy gives me a look. “Sophie. You need to have some fun. This guy clearly likes you, and I’m worried you’re shutting him down before anything even starts. What if this semester ends and you miss your chance—just like Holden last year? You’ve never really had those fun, reckless college experiences, right? Just one night. Let loose.”

I hesitate. She’s right. And I do want to see Micah again. I even like Grant—he’s chaos in the best way. I don’t really know Wyatt, but he’s on the law school track, so I could maybe talk to him about that.

I text back.

Me

Can I bring my roommate?

His reply comes within seconds.

Micah

Of course. Whatever makes you more comfortable.

I tuck the phone away, trying to hide the way my heart jumps a little.

“Okay,” I say, trying to hide my smile. “I’ll go. But you’re coming with me.”

Poppy and I make our way across the parking lot. Micah is already outside, leaning casually against the passenger side of his car, hands shoved into the pockets of a Westcliffe hoodie. When he spots us, he straightens and moves toward the door, like he’s been waiting.

Poppy nudges me with her elbow. “Woah. He’s hot. And he’s a gentleman,” she whispers.

“Please, sit in the front,” she adds a little louder, before I can argue.

“Hi,” Micah greets, his gray eyes flicker between us, then lands on Poppy. “I’m Micah.”

“Poppy Reed,” she says brightly, ready to get into the back seat. “Nice to meet you.”

Micah opens the door for her with a polite smile. “And that’s Grant at the end and Wyatt in the middle seat,” he says, gesturing inside.

For the first time since I met her, Poppy goes completely quiet. Her gaze is fixed on Wyatt, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why. Wyatt’s stupidly good-looking, even sitting in a cramped back seat—cramped for him because all these guys are so freaking tall. Micah notices her silence, and his mouth twitches in amusement before he shuts the door behind her.

Then he turns to me, pulling open the passenger door with a teasing glint in his eye. “Hey, Lenny. You copying me?” he asks, nodding toward my white Westcliffe sweatshirt, almost identical to the gray hoodie he’s wearing.

I glance between the two of us, heat creeping up my neck. “I think you’re the one copying me.”

“What can I say?” Micah’s grin deepens as he helps me in, his hand brushing lightly against the small of my back. “You’re my inspiration,” he says, voice warm, as he guides me into the seat.

MICAH

We're at an Italian restaurant off campus, closer to the cafe and my apartment. Poppy slides into the seat across from Wyatt, looking like she's trying not to smile too big. Sophie takes the spot beside her. I take the one next to Sophie, because of course I do.

The host hands out menus, and I notice Sophie scanning hers faster than anyone else, her brows drawn in thought. I already know why.

“Hey, Sophie, Poppy,” I say, leaning back casually. “Since I dragged you two out tonight, dinner’s on me.”

Those eyes of hers go wide in that way that always gets to me. “You don’t have to.”