Page 62 of Bottle Shock
I wait, knowing better than to interrupt as she works through her thoughts.
Sure enough, she drops her hands, eyes wide. “Do you have any idea how many ways this could go wrong?”
“Scottie.” I say her name like a plea. “I know this is unconventional and sounds crazy, but it’s the only thing I can think of to help you out of this.”
Her eyes lift to mine—an endless, deep blue ocean. “Why would you do this for me? What do you get out of it?”
It’s as if she can’t wrap her head around someone wanting to help her without expecting something in return.
“Do you really think I don’t care about you?” It might be the most honest thing I’ve ever said to her. The closest I’ll get to revealing how I truly feel.
She breaks our gaze, cheeks flushing as she turns to the window overlooking the pool. She stares blankly, like she’s not really seeing it.
“I could hire you as an apprentice or something and get you on the payroll,” I continue, “but that would take ninety days to kick in. Getting married is the fastest way to get you insurance.”
With her back still turned, I watch her shoulders drop some tension.
“If we do this”—she turns to look at me—“and that’s a big if, we can’t tell anyone.”
“We won’t,” I reassure her. “Not your parents, not Elyse, not my family. Definitely not Lily. We keep it between us. Quiet. You’ll go on my insurance, stay covered as long as you need to, and when you’re back on your union plan, we’ll file for divorce.”
I hesitate, knowing this next part might push her over the edge. “There’s one more thing,” I add carefully. “We’ll need to have the same address. For the paperwork. Married couples don’t usually live apart.”
Her head jerks up, eyes wide. “You mean—move in?”
“We have to make it look legitimate,” I explain. “You canhave any room in the house, but I’m assuming you’d prefer the pool house. It’s easier this way. Less risk of raising questions.”
“This keeps getting more romantic by the minute.”
“I’m just trying to cover all the bases.”
She groans, rubbing at her temples. “You’re making this sound way too easy.”
“It doesn’t have to be complicated,” I say, because to me, it isn’t. “It’s a legal agreement. Temporary. That’s all.”
Scottie finally faces me. “What if we get in trouble? Wouldn’t this be considered insurance fraud?”
I may not have fully thought this through, but I know enough to know it’s not illegal. I’d never put Scottie in a situation that could get her in serious trouble. “It’s not fraud if there’s a marriage license. Fraud would be falsifying documents or claiming a relationship that doesn’t exist. But it does exist. Legally, if we’re married, you’re eligible for coverage. That’s the law.”
She lets out a short, humorless laugh. “Why are you so knowledgeable about this? Have you married other women for similar reasons, or am I your first?”
To that, I can’t help but smile. “Never been married, and I wasn’t planning on it anytime soon.”
“I’ve never been married either. I lose men like I lose keys.”
I’m not sure what she means but I nod along like I do.
“Well, that’s the best part about this arrangement. We’re not actually together, so you won’t lose me. After this is over, I’ll still be Gavin, and you’ll still be Scottie. Everything goes back to normal.”
Scottie’s eyes hold mine. “And what is normal?”
She lets out a dry laugh. “It’s funny, you know. Before I moved back, I honestly thought you didn’t like me. Anytime I came around, you’d make yourself scarce. It just seemed like you never cared much about me.”
I swallow, and it burns like acid. I didn’t realize she’dnoticed. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be around her—it was self-preservation. Because I wanted it too much.
“Scottie, I?—”
“It’s fine.” She cuts me off. “I don’t need you to list all the things you find annoying about me. Too loud. Too dramatic. Talks too much. I’ve heard it before.”
