I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 66

Sophie felt she needed to explain things clearly to Gavin. Even if her mother hadn't set it up intentionally, the whole evening had been undeniably awkward.

"I know who he is. Gwen told me about him."

"Gwen." Sophie sighed, deeply annoyed. "That girl has a big mouth. It's not what she thinks. There is absolutely nothing going on between Jason and me. She thinks anyone who looks in my direction is secretly in love with me."

"Even if there was something, I'm not worried. I'll be officially transferred in a month. Once I'm by your side every single day, no one else will stand a chance."

Gavin slipped Sophie's hand into the pocket of his overcoat, lacing his fingers through hers.

"Will you come home with me for the holidays? My mom really wants to meet you."

Sophie dodged the question, asking instead, "Are your parents really okay with you moving here?"

"My dad was against it at first. He wanted me to convince you to move to San Francisco. But my mom is super open-minded. She said as long as we love each other, the city doesn't matter. And in my house, whatever my mom says goes."

Gavin chuckled softly, leaning in to whisper against her ear. "In our house, whatever you say goes."

Sophie felt her ears burn from the heat of his breath, her heart melting completely at his words.

When they reached the edge of her apartment complex, Gavin stopped. "I can walk back from here. If you keep going, I'll just have to walk you back again."

Sophie agreed, but neither of them moved. They just stood there, waiting for the other to leave first.

"I'll watch you walk back, and then I'll head out."

Gavin pulled the hood of Sophie's coat up to keep her warm, his fingers gently brushing against her cheek.

Seeing the raw affection in his eyes, Sophie's resolve crumbled. Ignoring the fact that they were standing on a public sidewalk, she went up on her tiptoes and pressed a soft, fleeting kiss to his lips.

Gavin immediately dipped his head to deepen the kiss, but Sophie playfully dodged him. "People are watching. Go on, I'll head back once you're out of sight."

Under the glow of the streetlamps, they stood holding hands, smiling at each other, neither willing to let go.

"You didn't drink. Why is your neck so red?"

Sophie reached out and brushed her fingers against his neck. It was burning hot and covered in tiny, raised bumps. She gently pulled down the collar of his shirt, revealing a red rash spreading across his chest.

"Are you having an allergic reaction?"

Sophie suddenly remembered a girl from her dorm who was severely allergic to seafood. She had eaten crab on a dare and broke out in horrible hives.

"It's the shrimp. I'm allergic to shrimp." Gavin looked a bit sheepish.

"Then why did you eat so much of it!" Sophie scolded him, panicked.

"You made it yourself. I couldn't exactly turn it down."

Gavin kept smiling, and when he saw Sophie's furious glare, he lightly pinched her cheek. "It's fine, it's not my first time. I'll just grab some medicine at the pharmacy. It'll clear up fast."

There was no way Sophie was letting an allergic Gavin walk back alone. She dragged him to a nearby pharmacy, bought both oral antihistamines and a topical cream, and escorted him straight back to his hotel room.

The last time she had walked him out, they had stopped at a dessert shop. He hated frosting, but he happily kissed her right after she had eaten a slice of vanilla cake, claiming it tasted infinitely better straight from her lips.

Sophie deliberately pressed a little harder with the cotton swab. She only eased up when she heard Gavin's sharp intake of breath.

"You're killing your future husband," Gavin complained through a laugh.

Sophie was just about to shoot back a witty reply when her phone rang. It was her mom.

"What's taking so long? Why aren't you back yet?" Sarah's tone was sharp.

"Gavin had an allergic reaction. I'm just putting some cream on him, and then I'll be right back."

"Are you in his hotel room?"

When Sophie offered a soft sound of confirmation, Sarah's voice turned icy. "Come home immediately. Now."

Her mother's voice was so loud at the end that even Gavin heard it.

He turned around and gently took the ointment from Sophie's hands. "Go back. I can handle the rest myself."

"She's always been like this. She's been super strict since I was a kid," Sophie explained apologetically.

"I understand. Head back. Don't let her worry."