I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 63

"I understand. Raising a child alone is incredibly demanding."

Sophie thought about how hard her mother had worked all those years and tried to comfort him. "You're doing an amazing job. My mom is always singing your praises."

"Thank you. I'll take that to heart," Jason said, a genuine smile finally reaching his eyes.

On New Year's Eve, Sophie and her mother prepared the holiday dinner together. Cooking for two didn't require much, but to make it feel festive, Sophie cooked several different dishes in small, delicate portions.

"You shouldn't have gone through all this trouble. Two dishes and a soup would have been plenty for just the two of us." Sarah hated seeing her daughter overwork herself.

"It's the holidays, Mom. We need a proper feast. Even with just the two of us, we can make it lively."

Sophie smiled, but inwardly, she couldn't help but wonder how her mother had managed last year when she hadn't come home for the holidays.

That evening, Sophie applied a face mask for her mom and put one on herself. They sat on the couch, indulging in a little spa time while watching the holiday countdown special.

"Mom, don't tell me there aren't any handsome, single guys in your choir group making eyes at you."

A few days ago, Sarah had been the one pushing Sophie to start dating, but now the tables had turned.

After moving in, Sophie had started taking her mom to the park for morning exercises. When she noticed a local choir group for seniors, she immediately encouraged Sarah to join.

Her mother loved singing, and she desperately needed more social interaction. Being alone all the time was too isolating.

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm perfectly happy on my own. Besides, with my personality, I'd probably drive anyone crazy."

"No way. Now that I'm out of your hair, the path is clear for your epic twilight romance. You're definitely the most gorgeous woman in your choir."

Right before the holidays, Sophie had taken her mother to a salon for a fresh cut and color. With her dark hair restored, Sarah looked years younger.

"At your age, can you really afford to waste time? He's young, so of course he's not in a rush, but you don't have that luxury. If he doesn't want to meet me, then he's clearly not serious."

Backed into a corner by her mother's flawless logic, Sophie couldn't exactly refuse. But it definitely made picking Gavin Gilmore up at the station feel a lot more awkward.

Gavin was traveling from his hometown of Philadelphia. He caught the earliest train and arrived in Seattle right at noon.

Sophie went to the station to pick him up. It had been over a month since they last saw each other.

After a six-hour journey, he practically sprinted toward her. He looked a little rumpled from the trip, and when he pulled her into a tight hug, she could faintly smell the scent of fast food on him.

"Did you eat cup noodles on the train?"

"No, the guy next to me did. I've been starving myself, saving my appetite to have lunch with you."