21. Zoe
TWENTY-ONE
Zoe
T he doorbell chimes, pulling me from my frantic thoughts about flower arrangements. Fifty tables is easily the largest event I’ve ever designed for, and it won’t be just those. In addition to the lead table, I’ll need them for the entrance, too. What if there’s a table with name tags? That’s another one!
I take a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in my stomach.
Caleb is here!
Answer the door!
I swing it open, and there he stands, effortlessly gorgeous in a fitted black suit that accentuates his perfect hair, broad shoulders and slim waist. My gaze drops to take him in.
“Hey, Zoe.” A playful grin lights up his face. “Ready to tackle the wedding plans and the retirement dinner?”
“No,” I blurt.
He chuckles. “One at a time. It’ll be okay.”
“One at a time seems do-able,” I mumble, stepping aside to let him in. The moment he crosses the threshold, the atmosphere shifts slightly, charged with an energy I’m not ready for. “While I waited for you to arrive, I’ve been working on the flower arrangements in my mind, but fifty tables is… a lot.”
Caleb slides his gaze over my home. “If someone showed me one hundred apartments in this city, I’d know this one was yours.”
My eyes widen and I turn around, trying to see what he sees. “Oh! I laugh, “Because of all the plants!”
“Is this a one-bedroom?”
“A studio.”
He drags incredulous fingers through his wavy black hair yet somehow it stays perfectly coifed. “I’ve never seen this many plants in a mansion, much less a studio.”
I shrug, “My cousins used to say that my room was more arboretum than bedroom.” At his head tilt, I clarify, “I used to live with my cousins, Samantha and Lexi. They’re both married now, so I moved into this place.” Waving my hand through the sweet-smelling air, I add, “While this may feel small, it’s larger than my one room was there.”
“Because you have a kitchen here.”
“Yes!” I nod, adding, “Oh, that was obvious, wasn’t it?”
Caleb ignores my self-conscious question and takes another step inside. “Where’s the bed?”
“See those grey drawers and where my coats are hanging?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s a Murphy bed.”
He walks to it, curiosity all over his handsome features. “May I?”
“If you want.”
Caleb pulls the bed down, my pillow and covers bouncing easily into place. “Fascinating.” He steps back a bit, investigating further until, “But this is for just one person.”
“It’s a twin bed.”
“That’s what I mean.”
“I’m one person.”
He locks eyes with me. “What about…when you have company?”
“Why would they be in my bed?” I ask.
“Do you prefer the couch?”
“Nobody’s ever slept on my couch before, but I guess if I had a guest, I’d sleep on the bed and they’d take the couch.”
He frowns and cocks his head. “I didn’t mean for sleeping.”
My face goes hot. Neck, too. “Shouldn’t we get started? I’m very nervous about doing a great job for your family.”
Caleb chuckles, leaning against the wall casually. “You’re the best florist in town.”
“I don’t know,” I shyly smile.
“You’ve got this. Just remember, my father wants elegant, but no peonies.”
“Right, no peonies,” I echo, my mind racing with ideas that have nothing to do with flowers. “Roses? Or maybe some white orchids? I want to make sure everything looks perfect for him.”
“My mother doesn’t like orchids.”
“Too spindly?” I offer.
“Right.”
“That makes sense. I love them.” I motion toward my bathroom, “I have quite a few in there because the window is frosted so they get sunlight but not too much.” I pause. “Sorry, you don’t need to know how orchids work.”
“I’m interested.”
Shaking my head, I call him out, “You’re trying to be interested. It’s okay. I’ve seen that look before. A lot. And it’s okay, really! But what I meant to say is that on dinner tables, that’s not a look I’d prefer to use for a huge event such as this. I was just thinking aloud.”
Caleb shrugs, “Maybe we can have them for our wedding.”
I blink. “I wanted wildflowers for that, remember?”
“I remember.” He dips his chin in a sexy nod. “Just thought I’d jump on the orchid train since you were interested in teaching me about them.”
Relaxing, I walk to the couch, and freeze. “I’m a terrible host! Can I get you some water or juice or something?”
“Not thirsty.”
“Okay.” I cross to the couch, wishing I was as self-assured as he is.
From where he leans on the wall, Caleb watches me. “Did you offer water and juice because you know I won’t drink alcohol?”
Moving my blanket, I sit down. “I don’t have alcohol.”
“You don’t?”
Ralphie jumps onto my lap, eager for a pet and I happily oblige, grateful for the comfort he naturally brings. “I don’t have any.”
“No beer or anything?”
“Nothing.”
“I thought everyone had some kind of alcohol in their home.”
“Is that how it is with your friends?”
“And my father’s friends.”
I shrug, “I’m high on life.”
Caleb stares at me for a few long moments, and crosses to the couch. “Okay, for the flowers, I’m leaving it to you. The colors for the event are white and gold. It’s white-tie.” Caleb sits down beside me with the grace of the very wealthy, and his dark eyes lock onto me with a confidence that makes my heart race.
“White tie? My parents want to meet you. Sorry! I blurted that. But…they do.” Quietly I add, “They’re really excited about the wedding.”
Caleb’s brow furrows slightly over a smirk, “That’s a lie, isn’t it?”
I cover my face. “Yes!”
“It’s okay. I’m not surprised.”
“They’re worried sick!”
He touches my hands and draws them down, leaning closer to look me in the eye. “It’s okay, Zoe. We can handle it, together. When do they want to meet me?”
“As soon as possible,” I admit, biting my lip, “I’m worried it might be really overwhelming.”
“I’ve handled a lot of high pressure situations.”
“My family is very… loyal.”
“That’s what every family should be,” Caleb frowns, lifting a lock of hair and placing it behind my shoulder. “I like your hair down.”
“You do?”
The scent of him is intoxicating. “You’re a beautiful girl, Zoe.” Caleb searches my eyes, and his are stormy.
Suddenly I realize it.
He’s about to kiss me.
I whisper, “Oh goodness!”