Chapter 10 #2
“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.”
“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.
The second he’s out of earshot, I turn to Sophie. “So how do you know Sinclair?”
She shrugs, casual, like this doesn’t bother her at all. “We just had a class together last year.”
Then Poppy, bless her overly talkative soul, leans in. “Wait, that’s Holden? He’s so handsome, Sophie. No wonder you—”
Sophie’s cheeks go red, and I see her nudge Poppy under the table. “That was ages ago.”
Grant smiles like a kid who just found his favorite toy. “Oh, did someone have little heart eyes for Sinclair?” He looks at Sophie, then Wyatt—but not before sliding a quick glance my way. It lasts half a second, but I catch it. He knows exactly what he's doing.
I keep my expression completely neutral. I refuse to give him anything.
“Holden's great, right WyWy? He's a handsome dude, he's so nice, and he's smart. Is he smarter than you, Wyatt?”
Wyatt smirks. “Yeah, he is. Doesn't even try and he probably has the best grades from everyone on our track. Naturally gifted prick. I'd hate him if he weren't so damn nice and down to earth.”
That’s it. “Well, I bet I have the highest GPA out of everyone in our year,” I say, maybe sharper than I meant to.
Grant laughs, leaning back. “Oh, right. Yeah. Ladies, Micah has a 4.0. Been keeping that since, what, middle school?”
Poppy looks impressed. “Wow, really?”
I shrug, leaning closer to Sophie, letting my arm brush hers again. “I’m actually quite a genius. Not sure how people get below that. Just do your homework. Answer the questions right on the exams.” I smirk.
Wyatt coughs loudly. “Asshole.”
Sophie tries to hide her smile, but I catch it. And when her knee presses lightly against mine under the table, I decide maybe Holden can go fuck himself. Because I’m the one sitting next to her tonight, not him.
After dinner, I drive Sophie and Poppy to their place. Sophie’s in the passenger seat, and I’m so tempted to hold her hand. I really don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I’m considering just doing what my body clearly wants to do.
I haven’t gotten laid since that first day I met her—but with Hailey, in the car before class. She’s the reason I even bought that damn sweatshirt, the one that ended up matching Sophie’s. I don’t remember ever going this long without sex. It feels like it’s been forever, and it’s messing with me.
Of course I want to sleep with Sophie—badly. I’m a guy, and she’s stunning, in an effortless kind of way. I think about how she looked on my bed the other night, her sweatshirt riding up just enough to tease me, and my body reacts before my brain catches up.
But if this was only about sex, I’d have found someone else by now. I wouldn’t be sitting, rearranging my whole schedule just to eat dinner with her. I wouldn’t care this much about making her smile. So yeah—I’m in way deeper than I should be. And I am completely fucked.
I drop the girls off, and the five of us exchange quick goodbyes. Could’ve sworn I heard Wyatt and Poppy exchange numbers, too.
There’s a lot more I want to say to Sophie, but I hold back. She already stepped out of her comfort zone tonight. So instead, I shoot her a text.
Me
Hey, Soph. I’m really glad you were able to come out tonight. I had a great time. See you in the morning for the presentation. Don’t stay up too late, okay?