I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 16

Gavin's friend was clearly a regular, and the bartender greeted him enthusiastically.

Sophie clinked glasses with them, taking in the neon lights and the vibrant crowd.

Whenever Luke had networking events, he frequently hit up VIP clubs and lounges after dinner.

Sophie had never understood why good business couldn't be conducted in a boardroom, why it always had to involve these dimly lit, suggestive venues.

Was it really that much fun?

Someone walked over and dragged Gavin's friend away to play pool.

Listening to their raucous laughter, Sophie shook her head with a quiet smile. She really was getting old; she couldn't see the appeal anymore.

"Not your scene? Want to get out of here?" Gavin asked.

"I think I drank a little too much at dinner. I have a headache."

Sophie felt terrible. She had agreed to come out, only to ruin the mood.

Sometime during the evening, a light drizzle had started, weaving a fine, chilly mist over the city.

The rain clung to her hair and face, bringing a sharp bite to the air. Sophie popped the collar of her trench coat.

"Wait right here. I'll go buy an umbrella," Gavin said, immediately sprinting toward a nearby convenience store.

Gavin came back with a single black umbrella.

Walking beneath it, Sophie suddenly remembered the night they had officially met—another rainy evening, sharing a single black umbrella.

It had been early spring then, and now it was already autumn.

She was staying at the hotel right on campus, so the walk was incredibly short.

Stopping at the entrance, she turned to him. "Thank you. I'm here."

As she took a step toward the doors, Gavin stepped closer and asked, "Are you leaving right after the tournament?"

Sophie paused, looking back at him. "Yes. I have to head out early to prep for the next city."

"Where to next?"

"Houston."

"I'll see if I can get approval for a business trip down to Houston while you're there."

Sophie offered a faint smile.

"I spend about two weeks in each city. After Houston, I go to Chicago, then Denver, and I won't be back in Seattle until the end of the year. Are you planning to follow me the whole way?"

"Can I?" Gavin shot back.

Sophie didn't know what to say. She couldn't understand why he was so relentless when they had barely spent any time together.

Sophie felt a wave of nostalgia. There really weren't many places in San Francisco where she had left her mark.

During college, she had rotated between classes, the supermarket for her promotional gigs, and tutoring. After starting her career, she had practically lived in a bubble between her office and her apartment.

Luke had rarely taken her out, especially not as a couple.

And during the holidays when he wasn't around, she preferred taking solo trips out of state over sitting alone in San Francisco.

Despite living there for eleven years, she didn't actually know the city well. There were so many landmarks she hadn't seen and streets she hadn't walked; it was a genuine regret.

Since it was a holiday weekend, Gavin showed up almost every night.

When she had to schmooze clients, he would go hang out with his friends. If she was free, he dragged her around to see San Francisco's night view and walk the streets she had never explored.

On the last day of the fall break, Gavin showed up right at noon.

"I'm going to be swamped with overtime once the break is over, so I might not have time to swing by. Lunch?"

Sophie didn't turn him down. They grabbed a bite, and since the afternoon games hadn't started yet, they sat in the bleachers chatting.

When the staff began leading the players onto the court, Sophie finally stood up to head down. As she glanced at the crowd, her eyes locked onto Luke.

She had a copy of the roster; his name wasn't on it. This had to be impossible.

She was just convincing herself that it was merely someone who looked exactly like him when Luke's eyes found hers. The brief flash of shock on his face confirmed it was really him.