I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 46

But Raggedy Rabbit carried the weight of her entire childhood, a silent companion through countless lonely nights. Sophie lowered her head, softly brushing the worn ears against her cheek, exactly as she had done as a little girl.

"Your mother mentioned you used to sleep clutching that thing every night."

Jason's voice startled her.

Sophie looked up, giving a slightly embarrassed smile.

"It was my only toy growing up, and my only friend. My mom worked late shifts and had to lock me in the house. Whenever I got scared, I'd play all three parts—the daddy bunny, the mommy bunny, and the baby."

She abruptly cut herself off, realizing she had overshared, and let out a self-deprecating laugh. "I was a pretty weird kid."

"You break my heart."

The words slipped out of Jason's mouth with such raw intensity that Sophie froze in surprise.

Realizing how intimate he sounded, he quickly corrected himself. "Your childhood. It breaks my heart hearing about it."

"Found it!"

Mia's triumphant shout shattered the brief, awkward tension lingering in the living room.

She sprinted over and shoved her gift into Sophie's hands.

It was a lumpy little clay rabbit she had sculpted in her kindergarten art class.

"It's so cute," Sophie praised genuinely.

"I have plans, so I need to get going. Merry Christmas."

She stood and pulled Mia into a tight hug. On a whim, she picked up Raggedy Rabbit. "Mia, since you have a brand-new bunny, do you mind if I take this one home? I want to keep it as a souvenir."

Mia chewed on her lip, then squeezed her new Barbie and nodded. "Okay! I have tons of new stuff anyway."

Kids were ruthlessly fickle with their affections. Honestly, human nature operated the exact same way; adults were just better at hiding it.

"Let me give Mia a bath, and we can leave together," Sarah called out.

She stopped Sophie at the door.

"Mom, I'm meeting a friend and I'm already late," Sophie said, looking apologetic.

She grimaced.

"Gwen? Alright, go ahead. Just don't stay out too late. I'll head back on my own."

Sophie didn't correct her. She said her goodbyes to her mother, Jason, and Mia, and slipped out the front door.

Gavin was already waiting at the entrance of the complex. While Mia was doing her dance routine, Sophie had worried he'd be waiting too long, so she had texted him her location.

As she approached him, she wondered how long he had been standing out in the biting cold.

"Why didn't you wait in a coffee shop? How long have you been out here? You must be freezing."

"I feel perfectly warm."

Gavin pulled her straight into a tight embrace.

From the second he boarded the train, her face had consumed his thoughts. He had gone straight to the hotel to shower and change, wanting nothing more than to give her the perfect, warm embrace.

Every morning she moved it to her ring finger, and every night she moved it back. In her rush to leave, she had completely forgotten to switch it.

Gavin pressed a soft, lingering kiss directly onto her empty ring finger.

"Just claiming my territory," he teased, his eyes shining like crushed diamonds as his thumb brushed over the bare skin.

He left the rest unsaid, but the implication hit her like a lightning bolt.

Before she could process the sudden racing of her heart, he held out his empty palm, waiting.

She looked down at the plushie and gave an apologetic smile.

"This is too ratty. I actually got you something else."

Digging into her purse, she handed him a sleek box containing a high-end Swiss Army knife.

She had spent hours scrolling through forums trying to find the perfect gift.

She had never seen him smoke, so a lighter felt wrong. Ties, shirts, belts, and wallets felt far too intimate for a brand-new relationship. She was desperately trying to navigate the boundaries.

He threw on an exaggerated pout, making her instantly panic. "Do you hate it?"

He looked at her deadpan. "No. I'm just realizing that if I want the rabbit, I'll have to wait until we get married and demand it as part of your dowry."

Seeing her cheeks burn crimson, he gently pinched her cheek.

He broke first, bursting into laughter.

The knot in her chest instantly vanished, replaced by a flood of giddy relief.