I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 18

"Sophie, I need to speak with you." Luke offered her colleague a flawlessly polite smile before turning his attention to her.

"I'm sorry, I have a date tonight. If it's work-related, my colleague can assist you."

Sophie plastered on a matching polite smile, keeping her tone as deferential and professional as possible.

"Give me five minutes." Luke glanced at Gavin and added smoothly, "Excuse me, I just need to consult with her on a quick matter."

Gavin smiled easily and looked at Sophie. "I'll wait for you outside." As her coworkers hurried off to their networking event, only Luke and Sophie remained.

"When did you leave San Francisco?"

Luke's eyes flicked down to her name badge. "Did you move back home?"

Sophie ignored the question entirely. "Mr. Lawrence, I don't have to answer questions about my private life."

"Sophie," Luke said, his voice heavy with exhaustion and frustration. "Does it have to be like this? You blocked me on everything. Are we seriously never going to speak again?"

Sophie let out a hollow laugh and met his gaze. "Were you expecting us to be friends?"

"The least you could do is let me know where you are and if you're okay."

"I'm perfectly fine. And as long as you leave me alone, I'll stay fine."

Luke squeezed his eyes shut, speaking with visible difficulty. "Sophie, there are things I never got the chance to explain."

"Then don't. It won't change the ending, so what's the point?"

Luke stared at her, his dark, intense gaze filled with churning emotions.

She had changed. Her long, straight black hair—which he had always loved and which she had kept entirely natural for years—was now chopped into a chic, tea-brown bob that curled slightly at the ends.

She had always been so compliant, rarely going against his wishes or throwing tantrums. She had never spoken to him with such cold detachment.

Everything was different now.

Sophie glanced toward the gym exit and tapped her watch. "My boyfriend has been waiting. He's going to get upset."

She felt a twinge of guilt the moment the words left her mouth; using someone else as a human shield was a low blow.

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