I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 15

The second half of the game was already underway. Sophie wanted to head back to her seat, but the man was still standing there. He pointed to the bleachers. "There are open seats further up."

He looked down and chuckled. "I'm not here for the game."

Sophie stared at him, confused once again.

"I'm Gavin Gilmore." He suddenly launched into a full introduction, listing everything from his college major to his current employer.

Sophie couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not a recruiter, Gavin. I don't handle hiring."

Gavin realized how ridiculous he sounded. He laughed sheepishly, pulled out his phone, and looked at her.

"Can I get your number?"

Sophie studied him. It wasn't as if men hadn't hit on her before.

Plenty of guys had asked for her number in college, and even at her previous job, despite her efforts to maintain strict boundaries, male colleagues had always found excuses to ask her out.

But was this man—someone she had literally met once—hitting on her?

Hesitating slightly, she asked point-blank, "Are you here... looking for me?"

"Yeah," he admitted with a shy smile. "I saw you on a friend's social media last night. He works for student affairs now and is helping run this event. I asked him where you'd be."

When Sophie didn't say anything, Gavin nervously offered an unprompted explanation.

"So, there was a little effort on my part, but it's still half coincidence."

Sensing his tension, Sophie smiled gently. "I don't live in San Francisco anymore, so we probably won't cross paths again. Is there really any point in exchanging numbers?"

Gavin looked genuinely surprised. "Didn't you sign with a local firm after graduation? When I saw you last time, I assumed you were still here."

"You know where I signed? What else do you know?"

Her tone sharpened; she felt like she was being stalked.

"No, no, it's not like that!" Gavin waved his hands frantically. "My soccer team was eating at the same restaurant as your graduation dinner. I walked past your table on the way to the restroom and heard your friends congratulating you on getting hired full-time before you even graduated."

It was true. She had been incredibly lucky. Aside from the kids with wealthy connections, she was one of the first in her class to secure a job. She had started in March and passed her probation right as she received her diploma.

She still didn't know if Luke had pulled strings for her, but she had felt incredibly blessed at the time.

At twenty-two, she had landed both her career and love.

"I quit. I moved out of San Francisco," Sophie stated calmly.

"Why?"

Gavin didn't get it. Everyone fought tooth and nail to make it in San Francisco; the big city was the ultimate dream for young graduates.

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