Page 68 of Bottle Shock
Not going to lie, it’s pretty great to blow a little kid’s mind with my singing skills. If only casting directors looked at me the way Lily is right now.
I launch into the chorus with full dramatic flair—hand movements, inflection, the works. My voice practically bounces off the dashboard. Years of stage training have made me incapable of doing anything halfway, even when it’s a silly pop song.
Lily stares at me like I’ve just turned into a Disney princess. Gavin glances over once, eyebrows slightly raised, but there’s the hint of a smile tugging at his mouth.
When the song ends, Lily lets out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a squeal. “You cansing! Like really sing!”
“Just a little,” I say, pretending to inspect my nails. Singing is one of my weaker skills—the main reason I’ve always steered clear of musicals. But if Lily’s enjoying it, that’s good enough for me.
“Do another one!” she begs.
I scroll through the playlist and find another upbeat track—something from a newer animated movie because obviously—and start singing again, softer this time but still keeping the rhythm. Lily joins in, her small voice trailing behind mine.
By the second verse, she’s giggling, trying to match the pitch. I exaggerate the notes, overly theatrical, and she dissolves into laughter. Even Gavin chuckles under his breath.
Somewhere around Ellensburg, Lily falls asleep, her head tilted against the window in a way that can’t be comfortable. I turn down the music and glance back at her.
“She’s out,” I whisper.
“Always happens around this stretch,” Gavin says quietly. “You’re kind of incredible, you know that?” His gaze flashes toward me for half a second before returning to the road. “Actually, I take it back—youareincredible. That was…I don’t even have words. You’re her new hero now, in case you were wondering.”
My lips press together, fighting a smile. “That was fun. I think I needed it. I’ve been kind of freaking out about everything, and now I feel a little better.”
He nods, swallowing. “Yeah. Same here.” His smile is small, eyes crinkling at the corners. “I feel a little better now too.”
The cab goes quiet except for the traffic noise of the highway. The silence isn’t uncomfortable, just aware. Every mile we drive is one step closer to us making one very big decision.
Outside, the flat farmland slowly turns into trees. The farther we drive, the taller they get. A sure sign we’ve crossed into the western part of the state.
By the time we reach Seattle, Lily’s awake again, listing every single thing she wants to see and do in Disneyland.
Gavin pulls into a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood. The house is big but not showy, with bright flowerbeds out front.
“We’re here,” he says, slowing to a stop.
Wayne and Shannon, Allison’s parents, step out the front door.
My stomach tightens. It’s not that I don’t want to meet them—it’s just complicated. They’re Lily’s grandparents. Gavin’s connection to them exists entirely because of her, not because he and Allison were ever really together. But he’s kept them in Lily’s life, made sure she knows that half of her family. Further proof he might be the best man I know.
I glance at him as he parks, wondering if he can read how nervous I am.
“They’re good people,” he says. “You’ll like them.”
“I hope they like me,” I blurt, then immediately wish I hadn’t.
He looks over, brow raised, amused. “Why wouldn’t they?”
“I don’t know. You’re bringing some random woman to their home. It’s not exactly a standard situation.”
“They’ll love you,” he says simply.
I don’t argue, but my hands twist in my lap anyway. It’s strange, wanting their approval. They don’t know what Gavin and I are—or aren’t—but some part of me still hopes they accept me. For what, I’m not even sure.
Shannon waves first—tall, elegant, her silver hair sleekly styled. Wayne stands beside her, hands tucked into the pockets of his vest, eyes soft as they land on Lily.
Gavin gets out and opens the back door. Lily jumps down and runs to her grandparents, shouting their names. Shannon scoops her up as Wayne ruffles her hair. They clearly love her.
I climb out, straightening the non-existent wrinkles from my top, trying not to feel like an outsider. Gavin is beside me in seconds, closing the door.
