Page 35 of Safe Place

“Don’t sweat it, Sophie. He always pays. Even if it’s just us guys,” Grant cuts in before I can answer. “Wyatt’s got money too, but Micah’s the daddy.” He winks at the girls.

Sophie shoots me an embarrassed glance, then—without even thinking—rests her hand on mine under the table. It’s soft, warm, and her touch makes my pulse jump. She mouths a quiet thank you, and I give her a small nod, pretending I’m not very aware of how close her hand is to my thigh.

Poppy leans forward, chin propped in her hands, her attention fixed on Wyatt. “So how long have you all been friends? Let me guess—football? Or hockey?”

Grant answers before Wyatt can, grinning. “Micah and I go way back—childhood friends. Wy joined us freshman year. He and Micah met at a frat party, got competitive as hell over beer pong, and didn’t even notice their dates bailed until the night was over.”

“Dates?” Poppy raises a brow, trying for casual but failing. “Wyatt, uh, how does your girlfriend feel about that story?” She won’t even look directly at him.

Wyatt leans slightly against his chair. “Well, uh, I don’t have a girlfriend anymore.”

Grant and I both turn to him, surprised.

“What?” Grant blurts. “Since when?”

“Monday.”

I turn back to my food and say nothing. Honestly, I can't say I'm surprised.

“And how’s Kate taking it?” Grant then asks.

Wyatt sighs, running a hand through his hair. “She hasn’t accepted it. I ended it. It’s done. But she’s been calling nonstop.”

Kate. Of course. I can’t figure out what Wyatt ever saw in her—gorgeous, sure, but jealous and possessive as hell. Hot doesn’t outweigh crazy.

“Oh my God, Wyatt. It’s not because of that day at the library, is it?” Sophie asks, panicked and adorable.

“What? No, of course not. I completely forgot about that.” he assures her.

Before I can say anything else, a voice I really didn’t expect to hear interrupts.

“Sophie? Sophie Lennox, right?”

I glance up, already irritated—and there he is. Holden Sinclair. Tan, green-eyed, curly brown hair that probably took zero effort, wearing that annoyingly charming grin. He's hung out with us a few times; he and Wyatt share a bunch of classes and are pretty good friends.

Sophie brightens immediately. “Holden? Hi!”

Great. Fantastic. They know each other. And why does she look so happy?

“I haven’t seen you since last semester,” he says, smiling like this is the best coincidence of his life. “I was wondering what you’d been up to. Guess you survived freshman year.” His gaze flicks to me—brief, assessing, enough to make my jaw tighten—before returning to her. “You look good. We should exchange numbers. I’d love to catch up sometime.”

And she says yes. Of course she does.

My jaw tightens, but I stay quiet, watching as they trade phones like this is the most normal thing in the world.

“How are your classes?” he asks, easily sliding back into conversation. “I remember you were having a hard time with a few last semester. If you ever need help, feel free to reach out. I might have some notes and past exams I could give you.”

“Really? That would actually be so helpful.” She laughs a little. “I'll take you up on that.”

She sounds genuinely grateful. And I’m genuinely—and annoyingly—jealous.

Which is a completely foreign feeling, for the record. I don't get jealous. I've never had a reason to. If anything, I'm usually on the other end of it.

This is new and I don't like it.

“Well, I should get going,” Holden says, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “It was really nice running into you, Sophie. I’ll be in touch.”

He walks off, giddy as hell, after giving Wyatt a quick pat on the shoulder and tossing a casual greeting to Grant and me.