Page 81 of Bottle Shock
“Marisa.” His tone doesn’t waver. “I’m telling Marisa. I don’t keep secrets from her.”
Of course he doesn’t. I open my mouth to argue, thenstop myself. Marisa’s solid. She won’t say anything. She’s already family in everything but name—and any day now, Ethan’s going to make that official.
“Fine,” I say. “You can tell Marisa.”
He studies me for another beat, lips twitching like he wants to smile but thinks better of it. “You know,” he says finally, “I’d tell you this is a bad idea, but I’m guessing you already know that.”
He’s not wrong. But part of me can’t help enjoying the recklessness of it.
I’ve been playing it safe for so long I forgot what it feels like to do something dangerous. And everything about Scottie screams warning. Too beautiful. Too tempting. Too fucking good for me.
CHAPTER 23
Scottie
HATE THIS TOWN
Gavin
We need to talk.
Not exactly comforting words to hear from your husband less than a week into the marriage.
Should I be worried?
Gavin
Sorry poor choice of words. Just info you need to know. I’ll be home soon, we’ll talk then.
Home.
Strange to think we’re sort of living together. Stranger how my stomach dipped when he called it home, like it’s ours.
I slide my phone into my pocket and start toward the house to sort through the stack of mail I had forwarded since changing my address.
Inside, the kitchen is perfectly clean. And there’s a weird sort of stillness with Lily being gone. I spot the mail on the counter and start flipping through it when my elbow accidentally brushes the small diffuser plugged in next to me. It wobblesand spills a puddle of lavender-scented water across the counter.
“Shit,” I mutter, grabbing a paper towel before realizing it’ll probably leave a residue behind if I don’t clean it properly.I duck under the sink for a cleaning spray, smiling to myself when I notice they’re all free of harsh chemicals. Very Gavin. Once I find one I think will do the job, I start wiping everything down. I’m just finishing when a knock startles me.
It’s sharp and deliberate. Gavin lives out of town, not exactly the kind of place a random neighbor would pop by. It must be a family member or someone who works for the winery.
I open the door—and freeze.
Not a worker. Not family. It’s Kathleen.
She’s standing on the porch, smiling like she expected Gavin to be the one answering. Her expression falters the second she sees me. Her lips stay curved, but it’s all teeth.
She’s holding a pink bow between two fingers. “Is Gavin home?” she asks, her voice dripping with a sweetness that’s already starting to rot. “Lily left this at rehearsal a while back and I’ve been meaning to bring it by.”
“No he’s still at work. I’ll make sure he gets it,” I say, grabbing it from her reluctant hold.
Giving me a once over her sticky sweet smile curdles at the edges. “I didn’t realize you were cleaning houses now.” Her eyes are focused on the cleaner in my hand.
“I’m not.”
“So then what are you doing here? Does Gavin even know you’re here?”
God, she’s awful.
