I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 41

Payday landed on the eighth of the month. After work, Gwen Grayson tried to drag Sophie Sullivan to the beauty salon.

"There's a Christmas promotion," Gwen pitched. "If two people book together, we get twenty percent off the Thermage treatment, plus ten free facial spas."

Sophie refused. "My money needs to go toward decorating my house."

"A woman's face is her greatest asset," Gwen insisted, relentlessly feeding her toxic positivity. "With beauty, the money will naturally follow."

Sophie laughed. "When you become a millionaire, I'll just sponge off you."

In the end, Sophie didn't go with Gwen. She still hadn't picked out her home appliances, and her house needed that cash far more than her face did.

On Saturday morning, just as Sophie was about to head to the mall to shop for appliances, Gavin Gilmore texted to say he had arrived in Seattle.

It wasn't even ten o'clock yet. Sophie did the math and figured Gavin must have taken the six a.m. train.

She sent him the location of the mall she was heading to, sticking to her original plan of appliance shopping.

An hour later, Gavin appeared in front of her, wearing a backpack. His eyes were bright, filled with a warm, affectionate smile.

"Help me pick out appliances first, and I'll treat you to dinner later," she offered.

Sophie had been nursing a headache from the salesperson's endless pitches. When she chose furniture and curtains, she went entirely by instinct and aesthetic appeal. But appliances were functional. They all looked relatively similar, yet boasted a dizzying array of features and brands. Her decision paralysis had kicked in hard.

That was when Gavin realized Sophie had bought a house here. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret. "Planning to stay for good?"

"Of course," she said. "From now on, I'm putting down roots right here."

Sophie spoke in a half-joking tone.

With Gavin helping her weigh the options, she quickly ordered everything she needed.

Her freshly deposited paycheck vanished in the blink of an eye, and her credit cards were maxed out. She could only pray her commission bonus would come through soon to keep her afloat.

"Let's invite Gwen to join us," Sophie suggested.

Stepping out of the mall, she dialed her friend's number.

"No way. I've been a third wheel enough times already," Gwen flatly refused. "I'm heading to the salon to maintain my flawless complexion."

Sophie took Gavin to a time-honored local diner known for its hearty stews.

While Sophie went to wash her hands, Gavin glanced down at a text from Gwen.

"Are you touched by my noble sacrifice? I'm eating takeout all by my lonesome just to give you two lovebirds some space."

Gavin smiled knowingly and typed back, "What do you want to eat? I'll order you the deluxe combo."

Gwen offered a few lines of fake politeness before promptly sending him a payment link to cover her meal.

Gavin and Sophie chose a window seat. The warm winter sun streamed through the glass, wrapping them in a cozy glow.

The table was made of heavy oak, set with two massive ceramic bowls. It matched the vibe of the city—rustic, grounded, and steeped in history.

Sophie showed Gavin how to tear his bread into tiny pieces to mix into the soup.

It was a slow, methodical process. As they chatted and tore the bread, it felt as though someone had suddenly hit the brakes on their fast-paced lives, slowing the very flow of time.

The steaming bowls of savory meat stew arrived, giving off a mouthwatering aroma. Watching Gavin take his first bite, Sophie tilted her head. "How is it?"

"It's delicious." The smile in his eyes deepened.

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