I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 37

For her last weekend in Denver, Sophie wanted to visit Aspen Peaks. She scrolled through travel guides online while trying to convince Gwen to join her.

"We could stay overnight. We'd get to see the snow-capped mountains, the frozen waterfalls, go skiing, and maybe even see pandas, clouded leopards, or golden monkeys..."

Gwen shook her head vigorously. She wasn't going, even if you paid her.

"What is there to look at on a freezing mountain? Who cares about animals? I'd rather stay on The Promenade and look at hot guys."

Gwen quickly used the opportunity to push her own agenda. "Take Gavin with you. It's dangerous for a girl to wander around the wilderness alone. Why waste a perfectly good, free bodyguard?"

Of course, Gwen couldn't resist taking credit for her matchmaking efforts with Gavin either.

"I'm not going, but I'm doing this for you. Whether you manage to get him into bed is entirely up to your own skills."

Seeing Gwen's wicked grin, Gavin let out a helpless laugh. "I don't have those kinds of intentions. I just want to take things slow with Sophie."

Gwen scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Cut the act. You think I don't know exactly how guys' minds work? Don't even try to tell me you haven't dreamed about her at night. Don't tell me you haven't..."

Afraid of what explicit thing she might say next, Gavin threw up his hands in a begging gesture.

Gwen kept egging him on. "Just get her into bed first. You know what they say about the quickest way to a woman's heart..."

Gavin's face burned crimson. "Please don't say these things in front of Sophie."

Gwen shot him another glare. "Do I look stupid to you? I know exactly what to say and what not to say."

Early Saturday morning, Sophie and Gavin set out.

By the time Gwen finally woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. She spent the day shopping on The Promenade, and when she got tired, she grabbed a window seat at a nearby café.

She texted Gavin, demanding live updates so she could act as his tactical advisor.

Unfortunately, Gavin didn't reply.

Gwen could only sip her perfectly brewed coffee and admire the attractive men passing by on the street outside.

Meanwhile, Gavin and Sophie were taking the cable car up the mountain. The higher they climbed, the more the temperature plummeted.

Even though they had bought heavy down jackets, hats, and gloves the night before, the chill seeping into the enclosed cabin still had Sophie shivering.

Gavin took off his own scarf and wrapped it snugly over Sophie's coat to give her an extra layer of warmth.

He knew perfectly well there were better ways to share body heat, but he didn't dare cross that line with Sophie. He was terrified that if he actually pulled her into his arms, they wouldn't even be able to maintain this fragile friendship.

Stepping off the cable car, they were greeted by a world blanketed in blinding white snow.

With their backpacks on, they hiked through the snowdrifts, stopping constantly to take photos.

The snow at Sunrise Ridge was incredibly thick and soft. Sophie scooped up a handful, packed it into a snowball, and hurled it at a nearby pine tree. Watching the snow cascade down from the branches, she burst into bright, echoing laughter.

Gavin quickly packed a loose snowball of his own and tossed it gently at her back. For the rest of the hike, they chased each other, throwing snowballs and laughing the entire way.

"Is this a bit warmer?"

Sophie stiffened, resisting slightly.

Gavin leaned down and whispered into her ear, "This is better than both of us freezing into popsicles, isn't it?"

As he spoke, his lips barely brushed against her ear. Sophie's ears, which had been practically numb from the cold, suddenly erupted with a rush of tingling heat.

The sun began to peek through the heavy clouds, but they remained locked in the embrace.

The clouds on the horizon and the snow-capped peaks were instantly bathed in a brilliant, glowing orange light. And so were they. Sophie looked up at Gavin. The soft morning light traced a warm, golden halo around the edges of his face.

Truly beautiful scenery has a way of shaking the soul. Neither of them spoke; they just stood in silence, watching the magnificent, burning sky and the rising sun.

Perfect moments always make you wish time would stop.

Returning to the hotel in Denver, it was already quite late.

"How were the mountain hot springs? Were they outdoors? Could you watch the snow fall while soaking in the water?"

The second Sophie stepped out of the bathroom, Gwen began firing off questions.

"We didn't go to the hot springs. We didn't have enough time. Gavin and I just messed around at the ski resort for a bit in the afternoon."

Gwen clicked her tongue in sheer disappointment. "What's the point of playing in the snow at your age? A hot spring sets the perfect mood!"