Page 150 of Bottle Shock
Good, because I don’t want to.
But first we have to survive being apart for two months.
Which shouldn’t be too hard.
I waited for her for years, I can wait a couple more months.
An hour later, we’re walking to my parents’ house to pick up Lily. And we’re going to tell her about us.
When we step inside, she’s lounging on the couch watching a movie, but the second she sees us, she bolts upright and comes running.
“Hi!” she shouts, launching herself into my arms.
“Hey, bear.” I scoop her up, press a kiss to her temple, and set her back down.
Scottie crouches to get eye-level with her, smoothing Lily’shair and straightening the little frill on her shirt before smiling at her. “Hey, Lil.”
Seeing her do little things like that—things a mom would normally do—warms me in a way I can’t describe.
It’s not something I ever wanted to ask of her, but she’s done it anyway, without hesitation. And I’ve fallen a little more in love with her because of it.
In the kitchen, my mom’s made cookies, and Lily talks nonstop while grabbing a few for the road. When we finally say our goodbyes and head outside, Scottie and I exchange a look.
I clear my throat. “Hey, bear? Can we talk to you about something?”
Her eyes dart between us. “I guess so.”
I glance at Scottie, and she nods for me to go first.
“So, uh,” I start, “you know how Scottie and I spend time together?”
Lily nods slowly. “Yeah.”
“Well,” I continue, “sometimes when two people spend time together, they want to spend even more time together…”
My words trail off because I’m not making any sense.
“Well,” Scottie jumps in gently, “I think what your dad is trying to say is that we like each other and we want to be together. Like, romantic together…”
Lily blinks, then nods matter-of-factly. “I already know you’re together.”
I pause. “You do? How do you know that?”
“Because,” Lily says, biting into a cookie, “you and Scottie have lots of sleepovers. And my friend Emma said her dad used to have lots of sleepovers with the neighbor, and now she’s her stepmom.”
I glance at Scottie, who’s covering her face with both hands, shoulders shaking with laughter.
Well, I guess we weren’t as sneaky as we thought.
“So what do you think about it, bear?”
My chest tightens while I wait for her answer.
Lily takes her time, chewing her cookie like she’s giving it real thought. Finally, she shrugs. “I guess it’s okay,” she says, crumbs clinging to her lips. Then, after a beat, she adds, “I like when she’s here. It’s nice not being the only girl.”
CHAPTER 41
Gavin
