I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 126

"It's fine."

Gwen's voice was equally hushed, though she kept her eyes firmly facing forward. The awkward tension crackled between them as they immediately pretended to be fiercely focused on picking cherries.

It was only then that Jason realized Mia had been whisked off to the other side by Sarah.

Spotting her dad looking for her, Mia trotted over happily, swinging her basket. She stretched her neck to peek into Jason's basket and beamed with pride. "I got the most!"

When she bounced over to Sophie and Gavin and looked into Gavin's basket, she burst into giggles. "Gavin got the least! He probably ate them all."

"Oh, Gavin definitely ate his fill..." Gwen strolled over, a wicked smirk on her face. "But he wasn't exactly eating cherries."

Sophie's face flushed crimson instantly. Mia's eyes widened into giant question marks. She looked at Gwen, then at Gavin, before finally settling her innocent stare on Sophie's burning face.

Jason quickly stepped in, sweeping Mia up and settling her on his shoulders. "What kind of reward does our little champion want?"

On the walk back, a stray branch snagged Sarah's sun hat. Sophie picked it up, placed it back on her mother's head, and carefully tied the ribbons under her chin.

Carrying two heavy baskets of cherries, Gavin stopped in his tracks, quietly watching the tender moment.

Gwen leaned in and whispered teasingly, "You woke up looking like a literal predator. Sophie's like a little white rabbit... she doesn't stand a chance."

"Could you please channel this boundless intellect into your own love life?" Gavin replied, thoroughly exasperated.

"W-what about my love life?"

Gavin jutted his chin forward. "Mia's calling you."

Gwen hadn't heard a thing, but she still abandoned Gavin and jogged over to join Mia and Jason.

By the time Sophie returned to Gavin's side, Gwen and Jason were holding Mia by each hand, swinging her up in the air as they walked.

From a distance, they looked like a heartwarming family of three.

Sophie and Gavin shared a knowing smile. Glancing back, they noticed Sarah had also deliberately slowed her pace to give the trio some space.

In the afternoon, the group wandered around the White Deer Plain Historical Park.

Mia insisted on riding the vintage trolley. As she was climbing aboard, a little boy accidentally bumped into her, smearing her ice cream cone across his shirt.

The boy, who looked no older than three or four, instantly burst into tears. His mother immediately crouched down to comfort him.

Sarah quickly pulled out a tissue and began wiping the boy's shirt, apologizing profusely.

"It's totally fine. Kids bump into each other all the time."

The mother's voice was incredibly gentle. When she looked up and met Sarah's eyes, she froze for a second before hesitantly asking, "Mrs. Sullivan?"

Sarah looked at her, completely bewildered. She had absolutely no memory of the woman standing in front of her.

"Your boyfriend is gorgeous. Your future kids are going to be stunning," Mia Lancaster told Sophie right before stepping off the trolley. She didn't speak loudly, but Gavin, standing nearby, caught every word.

The group grabbed various street foods at the food court, and the sun was already setting by the time they headed back.

When the car pulled up, Sophie unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Gavin. "Go to bed early tonight. Make sure you catch up on your sleep."

Gavin caught her hand, holding her gaze for a long moment before gently tugging her into his arms.

"Sleep isn't the only thing I'm deprived of," he murmured, a dangerous, playful glint in his eyes.

"My mom is going to be right behind me," Sophie warned softly.

Gavin's thumb brushed the back of her hand. He let out a soft sigh and said, "Come on. I'll walk you up."

Pulling a basket of cherries from the trunk, Gavin took her hand and walked her toward the entrance of her building.

Thinking back to what Mia Lancaster had said, a smile crept onto his face.

"What are you thinking about? You look awfully happy," Sophie asked, tilting her head.

"Just remembering what your friend said before she left," Gavin replied honestly, his grin widening.

Sophie glared at him. Gavin just laughed, his eyes crinkling with a warmth that instantly melted her feigned annoyance.