I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 70

"Gavin, you're back again? Are you here for work?"

"Hi Sarah, I just came back to see Sophie."

Seeing that her mother was gearing up for twenty questions, Sophie quickly cut in. "Mom, his flight leaves tonight. I'm taking him to the airport right now."

Sophie watched Gavin climb into the cab and stood rooted to the pavement, waiting until the car had completely disappeared from sight before finally turning back inside.

When she walked through the door, Sarah was in the kitchen, scrubbing the plates they had left in the sink.

Looking at the massive bouquet of red roses on the coffee table, the elegant candleholders, the expensive champagne, and the crystal fluted glasses, Sarah easily pieced together exactly why Gavin had flown across the country for a few hours.

Even little Mia knew it was Valentine's Day—she had practically demanded that Jason buy chocolates for the "little princess of his life."

When she found out Gavin had only arrived that afternoon, Sarah shook her head in disbelief. "You young people have way too much energy to burn."

The exorbitant cost of the flights physically pained her, but seeing how completely devoted Gavin was to her daughter brought a deep, quiet comfort to her heart.

The night before The Festival of Lights, Sophie bought a beautiful lantern for Mia. Mia insisted Sophie walk her around the apartment complex to show it off, but even after a full lap, she wasn't satisfied. She started begging Sophie to take her to the massive downtown lantern display for the actual festival.

Sophie gently explained that she already had plans with Gwen and couldn't take her.

Mia refused to accept that, demanding Sophie just invite Gwen along. "You didn't even hang out with us for Valentine's Day! You *have* to come with us for The Festival of Lights!"

Sophie tried to reason with her for ages, but Mia completely shut down, throwing a spectacular tantrum and locking herself in her bedroom.

When Sophie couldn't get through to her, Sarah stepped in to try.

With just Sophie and Jason left standing awkwardly in the living room, her mother's previous matchmaking comments echoed loudly in Sophie's head, making the silence feel suffocating.

"I'm so sorry I upset Mia. I should probably just head home."

Jason suddenly spoke up. "If this is because of me, you and Sarah can just take her to the festival. I have to work late tomorrow anyway."

"That's not it."

Sophie started to invent an excuse, but quickly realized the truth was far less complicated.

"My mom is incredibly anxious about my love life, and she constantly tries to set me up with anyone breathing. I think she might have given you the wrong impression. I'm really sorry about that."

"Sophie."

Hm? Sophie looked up at him, expecting him to say more.

Jason stared at her intently for a moment before dropping his gaze. "It's nothing. I still have some files to review, so I'll be in the study. You can just wait here for Sarah."

After The Festival of Lights, Sophie's schedule kicked into overdrive.

She found a great apartment for Gavin. It wasn't in her exact building, but the two units faced each other across the courtyard—which was close enough.

Gavin started boxing up his life and shipping it over in waves. On her days off, Sophie would head over to his new place and start unpacking.

By the time March rolled around and Gavin officially relocated, he only had two suitcases left to carry off the plane.

After a grueling forty-minute call, Gwen's ear was literally aching.

Back when she was in the honeymoon phase with an ex, a two-hour phone call felt like heaven. But in a professional setting, talking for forty minutes to someone who fundamentally refused to understand her point pushed her right to the edge of a breakdown.

Highly irritated, she finally checked her missed calls. It was Mr. Lawrence.

Why on earth was he calling her?

Gwen had actually been dying to ask Sophie the day before if Luke had sent any kind of birthday gift as a gesture.

But after seeing the pure, unadulterated adoration radiating between Sophie and Gavin, she had forcibly buried her nosy instincts.

"Mr. Lawrence! To what do I owe the pleasure from such a busy man?"

Gwen called him back, slipping instantly into her perfectly crafted, professional banter.

"Put Sophie on the phone." Luke sounded entirely frantic.

Gwen mentally cursed him out. *Who the hell do you think I am, your personal receptionist?*

But she forced down her temper and said with a strained smile, "If you need Sophie, why don't you just call her directly?"

There was a heavy pause on the line, and when he finally spoke, his voice was dangerously low. "She blocked my number again."

Gwen had to physically cover her mouth to stifle a laugh before the voice on the other end barked, "It's an emergency. Put her on the phone."