Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
But God, he’s like Ken-doll hot
MICAH
“So, a Genesis, huh?” Grant asks, cautious, though I can see the tease in his eyes.
He said he needed to talk, so we’re in the study while Sophie’s still on the sofa, watching television. I can’t stop thinking about how close we were—right up until he showed up.
“How did you even know about that?” I ask.
“That’s what I need to talk to you about.” He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Listen, Pops Vale is like a dad to me, but you’re my best friend. You have my loyalty.”
Fuck. What did my dad do this time? And to drag Grant, of all people, into it? Fuck him.
“Just say it, Grant.”
“He knows about Sophie. He knows about the Genesis you got her. He probably knows more than even Sophie does. She’s on his radar, man.”
My jaw locks so hard it aches. I already knew he’d been snooping, asking Nico to dig into her past. Normally I wouldn’t care—he can dig all he wants.
I need him until I graduate, but he needs me more.
I’m the only son willing to take this role.
But this is different. If he knows her past, he knows her weaknesses—and if he even thinks about using that against her, I swear to God I’ll burn every bridge to the Vale name before he can even speak to her.
“Have you been slacking at work? Skipping meetings and events?” Grant presses.
“Well, yeah. I have class. I’m a junior,” I say flatly.
Grant gives me a look. “That’s bullshit, Micah, and you know it. Your dad knows it, too. He told me to keep an eye on you—and on Sophie. He’s saying she’s a distraction, and he hopes he doesn’t have to handle it himself.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, my hands curling into fists at my sides.
“Yeah. Fuck,” he echoes. Then his tone softens.
“Listen, I like her. You know I want you to be happy—I’ve never seen you like this before.
You’re like a puppy, for God’s sake.” He cracks a small smile.
“But you need to play it smart in front of the company. I don’t want to see either of you getting hurt. ”
I take a slow breath, some of the tension easing. “Seriously, Grant—thanks for telling me and having my back.” I give him a look. “You know you’re more like a brother to me than a friend, right?”
Grant’s mouth quirks into a small grin. “Damn straight.”
Things just got a little bit complicated.
SOPHIE
“So, what do you think?” I ask Poppy. She’s got way more experience than me, and I trust her judgment. She stopped by Boston Brews during my shift, and I filled her in on what happened—minus the part about my scar.
“Wow, Sophie, that’s hot.” She fans herself dramatically. “He’s so into you. Did you guys talk about making things official?”
“No,” I say, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. “After Grant showed up, the whole mood shifted. He just stayed, so we never got the chance.”
“Ugh, Grant,” she groans, then smirks. “But God, he’s like Ken-doll hot. I can’t even be mad at him. Anyway, it sounds like Micah’s crazy about you. Why not just enjoy it? Have some fun for once, Sophie.”
“I’ll try,” I murmur, glancing at the clock. “Break’s over. I’ll see you at home later?”
“Maybe,” she says with a smile. “I’ve got a date tonight. I might not come home at all.” She winks. “I’ll probably spend the night at his place.”
“Okay, keep me posted!” I wave as she heads out.
Having Poppy as a friend has been so nice. She'll come all the way out here just to sit with me on my break.
I watch her leave and can’t help wishing I was more like her—calm, confident, beautiful. She can date without getting attached. I’ve never been that bold.
The last customer leaves just as I wipe down the counter for the final time. The cafe is quiet now. I walk over to the entrance to flip the sign to “Closed” when the door swings open.
Micah steps in, his hair slightly mussed, eyes lighting up when he sees me. My heart gives a ridiculous little leap.
“Finally,” he says as he strides over, that easy smile tugging at his mouth. He bends his neck, kissing me before I can even decide if I should hug him. It’s quick, soft, but enough to make my knees feel unsteady. “I’ve been waiting for you to be done with work.”
I smile, trying to hide how flustered I am. “You could’ve texted.”
“And ruin the surprise?” His grin deepens. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
I lock up the cafe, and soon we’re in the elevator, heading up to his apartment. My stomach flips as I steal glances at him. Should I ask if we’re official? The words feel too heavy, too desperate. What if I ruin this just by asking?
“What are you thinking about?” Micah’s voice cuts into my thoughts. He’s watching me, one eyebrow raised.
I open my mouth, trying to find the courage, when the elevator dings and the doors slide open to the penthouse.
“Fucking hell,” Micah groans the second we step out. “When did you guys get here? I was literally here five minutes ago!”
Grant is sprawled on the sofa as always, and Wyatt’s digging through the fridge.
“Like four minutes ago?” Grant says casually, not even looking away from the screen.
"I'll be out in a minute. Midterms are brutal. Need to study," Wyatt says, pulling out a strawberry soda.
"Just study here like you always do," Grant answers.
"Can't. Already got everything set up at my place."
Micah exhales sharply, grabbing his laptop off the kitchen island. “Come here,” he says to me, his hand brushing mine as he leads me toward his bedroom.
“Uh,” Grant calls after us. “Should I raise the volume on the TV? Maybe put on a loud action film?”
Micah doesn’t miss a beat. He glances back, smirks, and flips Grant off before shutting his bedroom door behind us.
Our legs are almost touching, his laptop balanced on his thighs as he scrolls through something, as we sit on his bed. I lean closer, trying to see the screen, when he suddenly says, “Sophie, will you let me pay for law school when you get in?”
My head snaps toward him. “What? Are you insane? No, Micah.” I gape at him, completely thrown. “And I don’t care how much money your family has. That’s not happening.”
His mouth curves into a laugh. I love how his eyes crinkle just slightly. “Okay, that’s what I thought.”
I blink at him, still confused. “Then why would you even ask?”
Instead of answering, he types something and swivels the laptop toward me. “Because I want you to apply for this.”
On the screen is a website for something called the Evergreen Initiative.
“What is this?”
“A scholarship,” he says, watching my reaction like it matters to him more than anything. “I’ve been looking into a few for you, and this one seems perfect. They’ve helped a lot of people get through law school, med school, grad programs. And it’s need-based, so you’d qualify.”
I shake my head slowly, still staring at the page. “Micah…”
“And,” he adds with that disarming smirk that always makes my chest tighten, “If you quit one of your three jobs, I get to see you more. Win-win.”
I roll my eyes, though I can’t fight the warmth creeping into my cheeks. “It sounds too good to be true. There’s no way I’d get it.”
He shrugs, like it’s the simplest thing in the world. “Worth a try, isn’t it?” His voice is softer now, and when I glance up, his gray eyes are fixed on me, steady and unflinching.
Something about the way he’s looking at me makes my heart stumble, and I have to break the moment by focusing back on the screen. “Fine,” I mutter. “But if this blows up in my face, I’m blaming you.”
He grins. “Deal.”
Later, we’re sitting shoulder to shoulder, filling out the application together. Micah is leaning so close that every time he moves, his arm brushes mine, sending little sparks up my skin.
He’s helping me with the essay now, and I’m watching him more than the words. He thinks out loud as he types, his brow furrowed in concentration, and I realize just how sharp he is.
“I’d have spent days rewriting this to sound perfect,” I admit, biting my lip as I read what he’s written. “But this is better than anything I could’ve done.”
He glances at me, one corner of his mouth lifting. “Told you I’m a genius. It’d be great if you would believe me for once.”
I give him a look, trying not to smile. “You really don’t do modesty, do you?”
“Not when I’m right.”
“And…submit.” I click the button and exhale, leaning back. “Done,” I say, trying to sound casual, but my chest is tight with adrenaline.
Micah grins and pulls me into a hug, his arm strong and warm around me. My heart stumbles, and I sink into him without thinking. God, I want to kiss him again. I want to feel his mouth on mine, to pick up where we left off on his sofa that night—only slower, deeper, more.
But before I can say anything, his breath brushes my ear. “Sophie,” he says, voice low and rough, like he’s been holding this in all night, “Just so we’re clear—I want to kiss you so badly right now.”
Is he reading my mind?
I glance up at him, my pulse racing, but he doesn’t stop there. His gray eyes deepen, and his mouth curves into something that’s almost a smirk, almost a warning.
“But if I kiss you, I won’t be able to stop.
Not with you looking at me like that. And I don’t want our first time to be rushed—or to have those idiots in the living room as an audience.
” He tilts his head toward the door, voice dropping even lower.
“When I finally get you to myself, I’m going to spread you out on my bed—no interruptions, no holding back.
But unfortunately, for now, I need to be a gentleman. ”
My breath catches. Words completely fail me, so I just nod, my face hot, my whole body thrumming with anticipation.
“Come on, let’s go,” he says, as he holds my hand and leads me out the door.
MICAH
“Well that took fucking forever,” Grant yells from the sofa. “And what the hell, Micah. I thought nobody was allowed in your sanctuary. I can’t believe this.”
I flip him off again with one hand, the other still holding onto Sophie’s hand.