Page 67 of Bottle Shock
You look beautiful, by the way. I should’ve started with that.
A blush creeps up my face. I should not be this affected by a harmless compliment. He’d probably say it even if I looked hideous. Because that’s Gavin—a genuinely good man. An anomaly, really. So nice he’s marrying me so I don’t die or drown in medical debt.
It’s completely selfless, and the gravity of it isn’t lost onme. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to repay him for doing this for me. But I’ll never forget it.
And one day, when he meets the right woman and slips a ring on the hand of the person he’s meant for, I’ll be there cheering him on—hoping to any higher power who gives a damn that she’s deserving of him. Because men like Gavin are rare.
If anyone deserves the fairytale ending, it’s him.
Even if it’s not with me.
Before I know it, Friday is here, and I may or may not be absolutely freaking the fuck out.
Gavin will be here any minute, so I need to get my emotions under control, which seems impossible considering my hands won’t stop shaking.
I’ve double-checked my bag. Triple-checked it. Gone through my packing list five times. There’s no way I’ve forgotten anything. Maybe it’s the mild case of mania coursing through me, but I’ve never been so organized in my life.
We had a video conference with the notary three days ago to get the marriage license started. Apparently, Washington allows remote notarization now, which felt a little too easy for something that legally binds two people together. After a few signatures, just like that, we’re one step closer to being married.
Gavin said he already has a courthouse in mind for the ceremony but wouldn’t tell me where.
A low rumble outside the window catches my attention. Right on time. Gavin’s Subaru pulls up in front of my parents’condo. The one saving grace is that my parents are swamped and can’t act as a nosy audience. They didn’t even question why I suddenly had a meeting in Seattle—which, let’s be honest, doesn’t make any sense. What meeting?
I take one last look in the mirror, swipe at my lip gloss, and take a deep breath.
By the time I step outside, Gavin’s readjusting some bags, making more room for mine. He glances up and gives me one of his small, easy smiles that makes my stomach swoop.
“Ready?” he asks.
“As I’ll ever be.”
Lily pops her head out the back seat window. “Hi, Scottie!” she shouts, grinning.
“Hi, Lil.” I open the door and climb into the passenger seat. “You ready for your big trip?”
She nods, buckling herself in. “Grandma said I might be tall enough to go on some of the big rides.”
“Seriously?” I gasp. “That’s huge. Are you scared, or are you like—nah, no big deal?”
“I’m ready,” she says immediately. “I’m not scared at all.”
Leave it to Gavin to have the world’s most fearless little girl.
“You’re way braver than me.”
Lily smiles at that, proud and a little shy about it.
We pull out of the driveway, and within ten minutes, Lily’s got control of the radio. Gavin doesn’t fight it, but the way his eyes keep flicking my way tells me he’s worried I’ll be annoyed.
The opening notes of some well-known pop song blast through the speakers. I recognize it instantly—one of those kid anthems you hear on social media with a dance challenge to go along with it. Without thinking, I start singing along.
Lily freezes, eyes wide. “You know this song?”
I nod, still singing.
Her jaw drops. “You know the words.”
“Oh, Lil,” I say, adjusting my seatbelt strap like I’m about to perform at the Grammys. “I knowallthe words.”
