24. Tom
TWENTY-FOUR
Tom
“ W e’re a little late, but what are ya gonna do?” Zoe mutters, fixing her ponytail as we step into the luxurious lobby of the Four Seasons hotel, with me trying to keep my testosterone in check.
I’m glad she needed me to drive her here. It means I can better gauge how they are together. While that’s a plus, and I want to support her, I also have a strong urge to punch this Caleb guy in the throat. Can’t believe he’s in my way in every way. Wish I could go back in time. As it is, I’m dealing my hand as it was dealt and waiting to make my winning move.
Have no idea what that’ll be.
When I see it, I’ll know.
The air is rich with the combining scents of multiple colognes and perfumes as guests pass us in both directions, but all I can focus on is Zoe by my side. She’s radiant, beautiful green eyes putting the elegant chandeliers to shame, and a smile graces her lips that lights up the entire room better than they ever could. I wish I could just reach out and take her hand.
It’s hard to concentrate when thoughts of last night replay in my mind — how Zoe admitted she had feelings for me. But now, those moments were snatched away by the reality of her engagement.
“Are you ready for this?” Zoe asks, self-consciously adjusting her Florist Shop T-shirt. “I should’ve worn something more…upscale.”
“You were born upscale ,” I reply, my voice steady. “Plus you’re a walking billboard.”
She laughs lightly and, for a moment, it feels like we’re just two friends sharing a moment, not caught in this web of secret desires and lost chances. But as soon as I remember Caleb is joining us, my stomach makes a fist.
As if on cue, the man himself strides into the lobby exuding an air of arrogance that makes me bristle. He’s impeccably dressed, of course, in a tailored suit that screams privilege. “Zoe,” he calls, voice smooth, practiced, as though he’s addressing a room full of admirers.
“Caleb,” she replies, her tone instantly inspiring a pang of jealousy in me. It’s painful how she lights up around him, when I’m the one who tried to pour out my heart, and she said she had feelings for me, too. Why is she smiling at him like that? Where did this jerk come from? How can I make him go home?
He looks at me with as much love as I have for him. None. “Tom. Didn’t expect you here today.”
Before I have a chance to say something I’d regret, Zoe interjects, “With the event hurtling toward us, I needed all the help I could get. Amelia is also calling in Perry.” At Caleb’s raised eyebrow, she hurries to clarify, “They’re part of my team. Both excellent florists.”
“I see,” Caleb nods, his gaze sweeping over the lobby as if he owns the place. He takes her arm, guiding her away from me. “Shall we head up?”
Zoe smiles, “Of course,” gratitude at his confident touch obvious.
Is he here to oversee the floral arrangements for his father’s retirement dinner, or mark his territory?
Growling on the inside, I follow them into the elevator, the three of us crammed into the mirrored and metallic space with seven other people and several suitcases. The vibe is heavy with an unspoken tension as we rise, and since I’m facing the pair, who are discussing event details, it gives me a chance to watch Zoe with him. I can’t tell if she has feelings for the guy, but her eyes light up when she talks about the flowers. Their colors. Shapes. Appeal of one due to its meaning and origins. They’re the only thing in the world that matters to her at this moment. Not him. It’s not him that makes her light up like that.
Is it?
“This’ll be like a rehearsal for the wedding,” Caleb smiles.
“Oh, are you two getting married?” A woman in a blue blazer asks.
Zoe flushes red, embarrassed glance drifting to the floor.
Caleb answers with certainty, “Yes, we are.”
Blue Blazer asks, “How long have you two been dating?”
He smirks, “Feels like forever.”
Zoe bursts into giggles.
My heart sinks.
The elevator dings, signaling our arrival on the event floor. As the doors whoosh open, I step out first since I’m closest to the door.
“Many years of happiness to you both,” Blue Blazer says.
“Thank you,” Zoe whispers, and hurries off the car.
Caleb strolls out and flicks me a glance, then leads us into the empty event space, a vast area just waiting to be filled with the life that Zoe can bring through her artistry.
“This is huge,” she breathes as she surveys the room. “I can envision the arrangements already.”
I force a smile. “Let’s make it happen.” I want to be supportive, help her shine. “Invincible, remember?”
She snaps her fingers. “Exactly.”
Caleb moves closer to Zoe, his presence a constant reminder of the promise between them that looms over me like a dark cloud. And I’m pretty sure he wants me to remember it.
As if I could forget.
“So, white roses,” Caleb announces, everything about him dripping with the assumed authority that comes from wealth and status.
“Yes…” Zoe replies, enthusiasm seeming to waver. “They’ll add the perfect touch.” She glances at me and, for a fleeting second, I see a flicker of doubt in her eyes. “I have some other ideas, too.”
“We don’t want to stray too far from?—”
Refusing to let Caleb steal this moment from her, I interrupt, “Why don’t you set up a few ideas.” I’m determined to help her creativity take center stage. If he thinks he knows flowers, that his ideas are better than hers, he’s dead wrong. “You can design them, Boss, then send photos for approval.”
“That’s a great idea, Tom,” Zoe grins, shifting her body to face him, her shoulders straighter. “I can show you what I’m capable of!”
“I guess we could do that,” Caleb exhales. “Just need to keep it elegant.”
I snarl, “What do you expect… she’ll throw a couple dandelions together with some half-dead weeds?”
Zoe grabs my arm. “Tom!”
“What?!”
Caleb rubs the back of his neck, one eyebrow raised. “Well, she did say she wanted wildflowers for our wedding.”
She lets my arm go.
My chest feels like someone kicked it.
That’s what I wanted — wildflowers for the wedding I imagined for us. I even wrote it in my journal, the one I wanted to read to her one day. Planned to. Ached to. Until all this happened.
“Caleb!” Zoe gasps, clearly upset. “Are you saying…?”
“I’m joking! Don’t worry. I’m only kidding,” Caleb smirks, motioning to me with his chin. “He jabbed. I threw a barb back.”
With a frown, Zoe whispers, “I’m not sure I like that type of humor.”
Not when it comes to her flowers. For all his money and connections, he will never understand the passion and talent Zoe pours into her work. I just wish I could convince her of that truth.
Caleb reaches out and takes her hand in front of me, making me want to hurl myself at him, grab her, throw her over my shoulder and get out of here.
“Zoe,” he says, “I’m sorry.”
She shakes her head like she’s trying to clear it. “It’s okay.”
“You have brothers, right? Don’t they fight like this?”
“No.”
“You don’t dance around an answer, do you?”
“Caleb,” Zoe begins, gaze rising to lock with his. “I really want this event to be special for your father. I’m going to design centerpieces for the tables that will make your heart swell.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Really?”
“Really. God, you’re so innocent, aren’t you?” A grin flashes on him, and I want to punch it off his face so bad I have a metallic taste in my mouth. He leans in to kiss her, and the next thing I know he’s on the floor.
“What the fuck?” Caleb snarls, rubbing his cheek.
Zoe chokes out, “Tom!”
And my knuckles hurt.
But my head?
Clear as shined glass.
Until I hear from behind me, “What in Heaven’s name?” and turn to see a silver-haired suit glaring at the scene.
Caleb mutters, “Hey Dad.”