Page 9 of Safe Place

“I didn’t think we were doing surprise visits now.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Sorry if I’m crossing some invisible line, but to be fair, you’ve been ignoring me all day. After fucking me this morning.”

Behind me, Grant lets out a low whistle, clearly enjoying every second of this trainwreck. I glance at him, then Wyatt—both watching, neither pretending not to. I press my lips together and motion Hailey down the hall. She leads, swaying her hips with calculated ease. I open the guest bedroom door and let her in. She walks to the middle of the room, turns to face me, and folds her arms like she’s been rehearsing for this.

“I’m sorry I ignored you,” I start, voice steady, “but I don’t think I owe you anything. We had a no-strings arrangement. I thought that was clear.”

“It was,” she says, eyes narrowing. “But after a few months, I thought maybe that was changing. I thought we were heading somewhere.”

I don’t respond. She steps closer. “You really don’t miss this?” she murmurs, and slowly unzips the hoodie. Her bare chest is revealed beneath it, her skin flushed, eyes locked on mine like a challenge.

I glance at her. She’s standing there waiting for a reaction, and I just—I don’t have one.

She’s undeniably hot—tall, toned, long legs, full chest. The textbook version of everything I find attractive. The hoodie swamps her, but it only makes her look sexier—more reckless. She steps in closer, takes my hands, and gently guides them behind her—settling them over her bare ass. I can feel the heat of her skin, the way her body responds instantly.

For a moment, I consider it. Just a goodbye fuck. Clean break. But something about it doesn’t sit right.

I pull my hands away. “I’m not trying to be cold,” I say, backing up a step. “You’re gorgeous. You know that. But I’ve been meaning to end this. I’ve got a heavy semester coming up—company stuff, family stuff. I’m not in a place for even casual right now. I’m sure you can find someone with the space and time to treat you better.”

Her mouth flattens. She nods, but it’s tight. Controlled. “Fine,” she says. “I get it. No more strings.” Then she pauses, tilts her head. “But Micah?” she asks, voice softer. “I came all this way. Give me a proper send off. It’s the least you can do after the last few months.” She steps closer again, her arms reaching around my neck, so close to kissing me.

“I’m tired, Hailey.”

A beat passes and her pride kicks in—I see it happen. She zips the hoodie back up, pulls it straight, and heads for the door. Just before she opens it, she tosses her hair over one shoulder. “Fine. Hit me up if you ever get lonely. Or if you just want a good lay.”

I walk her out to the entryway. Grant is back on the couch, eyebrows raised like he’s watching a season finale and Wyatt’s still reading but clearly listening. Hailey flashes a sugary wink toward the guys. “Goodbye, boys.”

Just as the elevator doors begin to close, Wyatt—without lifting his eyes from the page—says, “Bye, Sophie.”

Shit.

Hailey steps forward and stops the door with one hand, her head snapping toward me. “Who the fuck is Sophie?” she demands. “What the hell, Micah? I thought you didn’t have the time. Were you just bored of me? Moved onto the next one?”

I tense at the word, jaw tightening. “It’s not what it sounds like.”

Her glare sharpens. “Sure. Hope Sophie knows she’s just the next slut you’ll use and toss.”

“Don’t call her that,” I say, the words out before I can stop them.

Hailey stares at me, stunned for a beat—like she didn’t expect me to push back. Then she scoffs, shakes her head with a bitter laugh, and snaps, “Unbelievable. Fuck you, Micah.”

The elevator doors slide shut, and I just stand there, jaw locked. Then I turn, my gaze cutting straight to Wyatt. He doesn’t flinch, but there’s a shift—barely noticeable if you don’t know him. His usually bright hazel eyes are darker, his posture just a little more rigid. Even his tan skin looks slightly paler, which says something.

“Sorry, man,” he says after a beat, voice quiet. “I thought that was Sophie. She said you guys hooked up this morning, and you said you were with a Sophie earlier, so…two and two.”

He shrugs once, then calmly turns back to his book and flips the page like nothing happened.

Grant’s the one who breaks the silence, leaning back on the couch with a grin like he’s been waiting for his moment. “Damn, Mic. Getting around today, huh? Don’t worry—I won’t tell Mrs. Vale about your stacked morning itinerary.”

“Fuck off, Grant. You go through more girls in a week than I do in a month,” I fire back, launching a pillow at his head. He ducks it with a laugh, smug as ever.

FOUR

It seems I may be fucked

SOPHIE

It’s just past five in the morning when I open my laptop. The apartment is still dim and quiet. I like early mornings. No noise from the street yet, no texts, no voices—just the soft clink of my spoon against the coffee mug and the clicking from my fingers on the keyboard.