I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 125

Just before getting into the car, Sophie noticed Gavin's bloodshot eyes and said, "If you're exhausted, you really don't have to go."

"I'm going," Gavin chuckled. He glanced at Jason's car parked nearby and waved through the window at Mia and Sarah as the little girl pulled Sarah inside.

"It's really fine if you skip it. I just wanted to take my mom out to relax because she's been in a bad mood lately."

Gavin intentionally furrowed his brow. "Am I really that insignificant?"

"Oh, please," Sophie shot him a sideways glance. "I'm just worried you haven't slept enough. You should stop taking red-eye flights. It's terrible for your health."

"I just wanted to see you sooner."

Seeing Sophie blush, a grin tugged at Gavin's lips. He was about to say more when Jason honked, signaling that it was time to move.

Gavin didn't push it. He placed a baseball cap on Sophie's head. "You drive. I'll catch a quick nap in the passenger seat. I'll be fine in no time."

Sophie started the engine, trailing behind Jason's car to pick up Gwen from her apartment complex.

Gwen climbed in wearing a cherry-print sundress and a sun hat, looking fully prepped for a tropical vacation.

"Gwen bought a cherry-print dress for Mia too. She called them matching sister outfits, but honestly, it feels more like a mother-daughter set. If Jason wore a cherry-print t-shirt, they'd look like a picture-perfect family of three."

Sophie smiled as she spoke. Receiving no response, she turned to Gavin. The man who had just been flirting with her was already slumped against the window, fast asleep.

Sophie reached over and adjusted the passenger seat back so he could rest more comfortably.

Gavin's brow twitched, and his head rolled toward her. His eyelashes fluttered slightly—the harsh sunlight streaming through the window was clearly bothering him, but he was too exhausted to wake up.

Every time she saw him, Gavin was always radiating energy. Those eyes of his, in particular, always carried a bright, smiling vitality. Seeing him now, eyes shut tight and brow furrowed in exhaustion, tugged at her heart.

Sophie took off the baseball cap he had given her and gently placed it over his head, pulling the brim low to block out the sun.

Despite how carefully she moved, Gavin opened his eyes, looking a bit dazed as he stared at her.

"Go back to sleep. We've got a long way to go."

"Mhm." Gavin was truly dead on his feet. He offered a faint, sleepy smile and obediently closed his eyes again.

He had originally booked a noon flight back. But when he heard her mention that Jason suggested going cherry picking at White Deer Plain, he scrambled to compress his work schedule. He changed his ticket to an 11 PM flight, finally dragging himself through his front door past 2 AM.

To finish everything ahead of time, he had barely slept the night before, followed by another grueling day of work. By now, his eyelids were as heavy as lead.

When they arrived at their destination, Mia and Gwen were the first to hop out of the car. Seeing no movement from Sophie's side, Gwen grabbed Mia's hand and walked over, spotting Gavin still passed out in the passenger seat.

Nestled among layers of emerald leaves, the cherries gleamed like bright red agate, looking absolutely gorgeous.

The trees weren't very tall, making them incredibly easy to pick. It didn't take long for Sophie and Gavin to fill half a basket.

Gavin popped a cherry into his mouth. It was incredibly sweet. He started telling Sophie about his college days in San Francisco, when he and his friends used to drive out to the countryside to pick wild berries. They had eaten so many straight from the bushes that their teeth ached from the tartness.

"You're such a glutton," Sophie chuckled softly, though she parted her lips to accept the cherry Gavin offered her.

Her soft pink lips wrapping around the vibrant red fruit completely transfixed Gavin. Taking a step closer, he tilted his head down and captured her lips.

Just as Sophie raised her hands to push him away, Gavin straightened up. They both looked left and right, entirely guilt-ridden.

Peeking through the branches, Gwen saw Gavin go in for another kiss, pull back momentarily as if he couldn't bear to stop, and dive right back in.

"That guy," Gwen muttered, stepping out from behind the tree, fully intending to ruin their moment.

Before she could make a sound, Jason clamped a hand over her mouth from behind.

Gwen froze. Realizing what he had just done, Jason snatched his hand back as if he had been electrocuted.

"Sorry," Jason muttered awkwardly.