Bailey slammed her guitar case shut with a determined grin. “Alright, pack your stuff. We’re hittin’ the road.”

You blinked. “Hitting the road? Bailey, I thought we were just running errands in town.”

She shook her head, hair falling into her eyes. “Nope. I got us an invite to a songwriter’s showcase in Nashville. I can’t do this alone—and you’re the only one crazy enough to come with me on short notice.”

Before you knew it, you were in Bailey’s beat-up pickup, windows rolled down, country music blasting through the speakers. She sang along off-key on purpose just to make you laugh, and every now and then, she’d glance at you with that mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

The road stretched endlessly before you, but it didn’t feel long. Between gas station snacks, Bailey challenging you to sing duets, and the quiet moments where her hand almost brushed yours on the seat between you, it felt… different. Like the two of you were stepping into something new.

That night, at a small-town motel, Bailey sat cross-legged on the bed, strumming her guitar. “I think this trip’s gonna change everything,” she said softly, her eyes flicking up to yours. “Not just for me… but maybe for us.”