Page 95 of Safe Place

Margot turns toward him, her expression composed as she offers a polite smile. “Grant. Nice to see you. And thanks, but I can find my own ride.”

He smiles back, but there’s something careful about it—measured.

“No need, Margie,” he says. “Just doing you a favor, saving you from third-wheeling these lovebirds.”

Margot rolls her eyes, though it doesn’t seem to be from genuine irritation. She exhales softly. “Fine. But only because I’m not trying to get into an Uber in this dress.”

“Fair enough,” Grant says.

For a moment neither of them moves.

Then he gestures toward the bar. “Come on. Let me get you a drink before I play chauffeur.”

They head off toward the open bar, and I turn to Micah with a grin. “Tell me they don’t look exactly like Barbie and Ken. She’s even wearing pink.”

Micah watches them go, then shakes his head. “On the outside, maybe,” he says. “But let’s hope nothing happens.”

“Did something happen between them?” I ask, genuinely curious. “She seems so lovely and down to earth.”

He sighs. “It’s messy. Trust me—you don’t want to know.”

Micah introduces me to people as we approach them, though most of them are the ones approaching him.

“Micah, so good to see you, son,” comes a deep, resonant voice.

I turn—and nearly forget how to function. Judge Lawrence Wynn, in the flesh. I try to play it cool, but inside I’m full-blown fangirling. I’ve written papers on his rulings, dissected his opinions in study groups, even quoted him in essays in the past. He’s a legend. And now he’s standing a few feet away—tall, broad-shouldered, silver at the temples, with the same mesmerizing hazel eyes as Wyatt. His presence is magnetic, almost cinematic.

“Sir, it’s so nice to see you again,” Micah says, shaking his hand. “This is my girlfriend, Sophie Lennox. She goes to school with Wyatt and me.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Sophie,” Judge Wynn says, and his voice is somehow even more hypnotizing in person.

“Good morning—I mean evening—Judge—Your Honor—sir—Mr. Wynn?” I stammer, already dying inside. “Sorry, I’m just such a fan. You’re a huge inspiration, I⁠⁠—”

“She’s on the same track as Wyatt,” Micah cuts in smoothly, saving me from spontaneous combustion.

“Ah, well, please let me know if you ever need a letter of recommendation—or anything at all,” he says warmly. “I’d be happy to help any friend of Wyatt’s.”

“Thank you so much. I’ll definitely keep that in mind,” I say, trying to sound like a person and not a malfunctioning robot.

“Speaking of, where’s Wyatt?” he asks Micah. “I was told he’d be here tonight.”

“He said he had to study for a midterm tomorrow.”

“I see. I’ll see you both around,” he says, before disappearing into the crowd.

I exhale like I’ve been holding my breath for an hour. “That was intense. He’s so nice. And handsome. I mean, I’ve seen him online but in person? Wow. I see where Wyatt gets his looks from.”

Micah smirks. “I can’t believe I’m getting jealous of my best friend’s father.”

I'm halfway back from the bathroom when the voices stop me. Two women, somewhere around the corner, their voices pitched low. I find myself slowing down to listen, which I immediately realize is a mistake.

“Did you see Micah Vale’s date?”

“I did. She’s pretty, I suppose. But you know how these things go.”

“Oh, it won’t last. He’s a Vale. There’s been talk of a match with the Whitmore girl for years. Everyone’s expecting an announcement before the spring.”

I freeze.